Čović and Izetbegović Promise Greater Support for Athletes in BiH

Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Dragan Čović and member of the Presidency of BiH Bakir Izetbegović hosted a reception today for the golden cadet basketball team of BiH, as well as the leadership of the national team and the Basketball Federation of BiH and the Olympic Committee of BiH, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Discussions were held about successes, but also about the problems faced by the Basketball Federation and the Olympic Committee of BiH. Members of the Presidency of BiH congratulated the basketball players on winning gold at the European Championship and expressed pride in the great success of the young basketball national team and its leadership.

Marijan Kvesić, President of the Olympic Committee of BiH, expressed gratitude to the Presidency of BiH for the reception and support for BiH sports. As he pointed out, the outstanding results of BiH athletes, starting with the recent success of the cadet basketball national team, the success of Amel Tuka at the World Championship in Beijing, the success of the junior basketball national team at the European Championship in Greece, and other BiH sports achievements, are results that have exceptionally promoted BiH and require a more serious approach by BiH institutions to BiH sports, as well as greater investment.

The President of the Olympic Committee of BiH called on the Presidency to support BiH athletes by attending the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, and an invitation was also extended for attendance at the Athlete of the Year selection event in December.

Harun Mahmutović, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of BiH, and Josip Pandža, coach of the cadet national team of BiH, also thanked for the reception and expressed pride in the great success of the young national team players.

Members of the Presidency of BiH wished success to the cadet basketball national team, emphasizing that through its results and teamwork it has promoted BiH in the best possible way, and they promised help and support from state institutions in the further affirmation of sports in our country.

On behalf of member of the Presidency of BiH Dr. Mladen Ivanić, advisor Predrag Grgić attended the meeting.