Borac manager impresses football public: First Bosnia and Herzegovina and BiH clubs, then Zvezda and Partizan

Marketing manager of Football Club Borac, Tamara Bilbija, addressed her Facebook profile, and her status has already caused numerous comments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In an interview for the news agency Patria she said she was surprised that her status had attracted so much attention, as she had not written anything that all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina should not share.

"When I see how many people from Banja Luka go to Belgrade for Zvezda, Partizan matches... I am ashamed as a citizen of this city that we cannot support Borac (no matter what it is, it is OURS!!!) once every two weeks! Not to mention handball, volleyball, basketball... it's sad" – wrote Tamara Bilbija.

Tamara is the sister of Nemanja Bilbija, currently a footballer for Zrinjski and a BiH national team player. Their father Milorad was also a famous footballer.

Tamara with her brother Nemanja

- I am shocked when I saw how much attention the status attracted. I didn't think that one shouldn't go to watch matches in Serbia, Croatia, or another country, I go too. But, I cannot come to terms with the fact that football fans in BiH go to neighboring countries and support local clubs, while our stadiums are half-empty – said Tamara.

This Banja Luka native points out that she cannot speak on behalf of people from Sarajevo or Mostar, but that these clubs also need more support. Tamara says she is always with her brother, as she was when he played for FK Sarajevo, and now. When it comes to the BiH national team, Tamara has the same opinion.

- First Bosnia and Herzegovina, because it is my country, then all others... I usually cheer for the regional national teams when they play against some European or world teams. It's natural, because they are our neighbors, but BiH comes first – says Bilbija.

The marketing manager of Football Club Borac says that she grew up at Borac stadium and that her support for this club has never been lacking, as well as for the BiH national team and the clubs where her brother plays or has played.

She also points out that she has no problems or strange looks because she is a woman in sports.

- Maybe I don't know how to put on football boots and play football, but no one can deny my knowledge of this sport. In Banja Luka, they call me 'boss', that's how the communication starts as a joke, but I do my job honestly and I have no problems being a woman in this predominantly male sport – adds Tamara.