Memorial Tournament 'Haris and Gigi' Returns to Stojčevac After 20 Years

(Patria) - After 20 years away from Stojčevac, the Memorial Futsal Tournament "Haris and Gigi" returned to the renovated sports fields of the popular Ilidža picnic area.

At the 24th edition of the tournament, held in honor of the fallen members of the Second Motorized Battalion of the Fourth Motorized Brigade, Haris Opanković and Nedžad Granulo, students from 12 Ilidža elementary schools participated.



The tournament was officially opened by the Mayor of Ilidža Municipality, Nermin Muzur.

- This is the greatest victory for all of us. Our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, neighbors gave their lives, fought to preserve from the aggressor and defend this part of Stojčevac, where today their children, neighbors, friends, the youngest generations play a tournament in memory of Haris and Gigi.

It is a great thing and confirmation that they did not give their lives and the best days of their lives in vain because, thank God, here we are today on free Stojčevac - said Mayor Muzur, emphasizing that by summer two beach volleyball courts will be built and tables for table tennis will be installed.

Although the tournament managed to be held in previous years, the poor conditions at Stojčevac did not allow it to return to the place where it was first held and to the location where Opanković and Granulo laid down their lives defending the homeland from the aggressor.



- It means a lot to me that the tournament has returned to Stojčevac because I myself was a member of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a fighter, memories come flooding back because I know how much the late brother loved football and played on these fields before the war.

Fate willed that he leave his life right here. I thank the Municipality and the Mayor who made a great contribution to this being an event that will leave a mark - said Senad Granulo, brother of the late Nedžad.

After the introductory part of the tournament played on Tuesday, today's program featured placement matches. The winning trophy went to the team of the Fifth Elementary School, second were students of the Seventh Elementary School, while the Third Elementary School took third place.



Emir Mešanović (Seventh Elementary School) was declared the best goalkeeper. The top scorer was Amar Softić (Third Elementary School), while the award for best player went to Jemin Ćutuk (Fifth Elementary School).

Awards to the best teams and individuals were presented by the Mayor of Ilidža Municipality, Nermin Muzur.

As part of the central event marking the Day of the Second Battalion of the Fourth Motorized Brigade and the anniversary of the Battle for Stojčevac, numerous delegations laid flowers at the memorial in front of the Cultural Center in Hrasnica and at the Kovači martyrs' cemetery.

Admir Memić reminded all present of the importance of the Battle for Stojčevac, which took place on May 15, 1992, through a history lesson, and its significance for Ilidža in the war years that followed was discussed by former member of the Second Battalion Ejub Fočo, as well as Mayor Muzur.



Students from the Second and Fourth Elementary Schools made a special contribution to the observance of this important date with an appropriate cultural program, while the tournament was technically organized by the Public Institution Cultural, Sports and Recreation Center Ilidža.

The program marking the 32nd anniversary of the Battle for Stojčevac concluded with an exhibition match between veterans of the Famos Football Club and members of the Second Motorized Battalion of the Fourth Motorized Brigade, ending without a winner (3:3).