Velež's Red Night held: The same love unites us all

(Patria) - With more than four hundred guests in attendance, the traditional Velež's Red Night was held at the Havana hall in Blagaj. Among others, the invitation was accepted by players from numerous Velež generations, including Enver Marić, Ivan Ćurković, Blaž Slišković, Vukašin Petranović, Anel Karabeg, Veselin Đurasović, Velibor Pudar, and players from the first post-war generations.

The reception was particularly spectacular for today's players and coaching staff, who paraded through the hall at the very beginning of the Red Night to the ovations of those present. Afterwards, Enver Marić and Ivan Ćurković addressed the attendees.

- I believe we must set slightly higher goals. Next year, I hope, we will fight for first place. My generation was second many times, but that means nothing. First place is what counts. I wish you to achieve that. I wish you luck in your future work and success, said Marić.

Ivan Ćurković arrived at the Red Night from Belgrade. He always gladly responds to Velež's invitations.

- Every sign of attention and friendship coming from my city and my first sports love, Velež, is special to me. Those memories can never be suppressed. Those were the happy years of my youth. The foundations I built here were solid, firm, and positive. They accompanied me in growing up and set me on the right path. I am proud that Mostar is my love, and not a year goes by that I don't return at least once to the city to which I am bound by the most beautiful feelings. I wish Velež much success, he stated.

FK Velež President Senad Kevelj, in his address, spoke about Velež as a movement, which had been attempted to be extinguished several times. He also touched upon infrastructure projects, as well as the results that the Rođeni achieved this season.

- Velež has always played the most beautiful football. And Velež is not just points. It is not just a game, but a style and a way of life. Velež is its people. This is witnessed by the full stands at our matches. We will continue to be the brightest Rođeni. Today I spoke with friends from Arena Sport, who told me that Velež is the second most-watched in their program in the former Yugoslavia. We must continue to take Velež seriously. We are building a good and strong Velež. We have gone through different periods, but we have never stopped being a club that is loved, Kevelj said, among other things.

Džemal Hadžiabdić, in a statement for Velež TV, praised the tradition of organizing the Red Night, where, as he stated, people who love the club and care about Velež gather.

- My Velež and Swansea are the only clubs I am truly attached to. It is always nice to gather in an atmosphere like tonight's. I am truly happy when I am surrounded by friends from my playing days. We often socialize and always reminisce about some bygone times, said Hadžiabdić.

The Red Night was also attended by representatives at all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as representatives of the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Irfan Durić and Žarko Laketa. The leaders presented certificates of appreciation. Also announced were Velež's yearbook being prepared by Dario Mehmedović, as well as a film about Velež's difficult post-war years by Nermin Bise. The musical part of the program featured performances by Lejla Piljević, Alem Kadić, Amna Keskin, and Meho Velagić.