Bosanska Krupa, Novi Travnik, Lukavac and Banja Luka: Youth Sports Games Marked by New Competitions, Smiles and Children's Victories

(Patria) - Competitive spirit, cheering from the stands and children's smiles marked the past days of the 16th season of the Youth Sports Games across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosanska Krupa, Novi Travnik, Lukavac and Banja Luka hosted a large number of children who, through sports competitions, educational workshops and socializing, once again demonstrated the energy and values for which the Games have been recognizable for years.

Together with the Olympic Committee of BiH, the Games this year continue to promote Olympic values on fields across the country, encouraging friendship, mutual respect and fair play.

The patrons of this year's season are the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the President of the Republika Srpska and the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports.

Bosanska Krupa once again confirmed that sports and children's smiles hold a special place in this city, where Sports Day gathered over 600 children from elementary schools.

A special moment was the traditional lighting of the Flame of Friendship, jointly organized by the Mayor of Bosanska Krupa, Armin Halitović, school representatives and promising karateka Adin Musić.

As part of the sports program, competitions were held in dodgeball, athletics and futsal.

Qualification for the Grand Final of the Games in Sarajevo was achieved by Vedad Husarević, Narina Ketić, Merjem Džajić and Ajdin Mehić in the Chupa Chups 60-meter race, the teams "Zmajevi" and "Ljuti Krajišnici" in dodgeball, and the teams "Mazin" and "Fenix" in futsal.

- We did not make a mistake for a single moment when we decided to host the Games in our city. We see this from the mood of the parents and our youngest fellow citizens, who participate with great enthusiasm in all activities - said the Mayor of Bosanska Krupa, Armin Halitović.

As a prelude to the sports competitions in Bosanska Krupa, Novi Travnik and Lukavac, educational-ecological workshops "Zero Waste – Be part of the game, protect our planet" were held, with over 1,400 participants.

Through the workshops, elementary school students learn about the importance of environmental protection, proper waste disposal and nature conservation.

After the educational part, children from elementary schools, kindergartens and educational institutions enjoyed the sports competitions held in Novi Travnik.

Special attention at Sports Day was drawn by the dodgeball competitions, with the teams "Tihi gromovi" and "Lavići" qualifying for the Grand Final of the Games within the Cup.

- Novi Travnik turns into a real celebration of sports and children's joy when the Games are in town. I am sure that children enjoy, that through sports they create new friendships and adopt values that will follow them through life - said the Mayor of Novi Travnik, Stjepan Dujo.

After Sports Day, the greatest interest in Lukavac was for football competitions.

This year, the Games, in cooperation with the UEFA Foundation for Children, further encourage the inclusion of girls in sports, with the aim of breaking down prejudices and showing that they can be equally successful as boys.

This was precisely demonstrated by the team "Sivoxice" from Lukavac, which, by winning the Cup in football, secured qualification for the continuation of the competition.

Banja Luka hosted competitions in chess and table tennis, where young athletes showed concentration, sportsmanship and great talent.

The most successful in the FIDE Cup in chess were Aleksandra Mihajlović, David Knežević, Tara Smiljanić and Ana Pajić, while qualification for the Grand Final of the Games within the Kinder Joy of moving CUP in table tennis was achieved by Olivera Kecman, Stefan Milinković, Vukašin Đurić and Irina Petković.

The Youth Sports Games continue this year to connect children from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina through sports, education and socializing, creating new friendships and memories.

The next host cities of the Games are Banovići, Srebrenik, Odžak and Mostar, the organizers announced.