Topalbećirević: Dear friends and fans, I would ask you to read my message

Dear friends, dear fans of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I WOULD ask you to read this...

I never liked to boast or put myself in the spotlight, it somehow came naturally because of the people, the fans who apparently like my work, etc. I'll keep it short... I must say, and I would never say this, you saw these matches and this celebration mostly thanks to my determination and FACE TV.

I followed the young men, suggested it to Senad Hadžifejzović - and he, journalistically, said go for it. I told him I sensed a medal, maybe even gold. I called FIBA a thousand times, sent hundreds of emails, the girl from the Basketball Federation, Alma, helped me a lot.

I don't know what I didn't do so that we could all watch and experience this. I took dozens of pills, stooped to the lowest level, begged and got it. We won... Hard work and persistence pay off. 95 percent of you supported me, sometimes I was ashamed of the messages I received. I cried sincerely. At the airport they asked me to do it, the guys were thrilled, hugging me, thanking me.

In front of the Eternal Flame, I hosted the program with Amel Ćurić, shouting, yelling, cheering... The basketball players insisted that I speak, that I introduce them. I didn't push myself nor did I want to. Anyone who knows me knows that. And then this morning, certain individuals, and state employees, a certain Sanja Škuletić Malagić, who works as a spokesperson for the Ministry of Security, a former journalist, wrote on her profile the worst things about me, that she is disgusted, etc. The spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Health, Zlatan Peršić, and a few more journalists, such as Borka Rudić, joined in. They were bothered that I am from Sarajevo, but I don't mind where they are from. I don't mind Sikiraš from Pale, nor the guys from Vitez, Kotor Varoš, Mostar... I don't have those complexes, to their dismay. I travel all over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

IN 1997, I „BROUGHT OUT“ 100,000 PEOPLE ON THE STREETS OF SARAJEVO AFTER THE BASKETBALL VICTORY OVER CROATIA...

Many of them hadn't even moved to this city yet. Last night there were more people than at the reception of the football national team, hmm... maybe because Baho invited the people. Maybe.

You don't know what emotions and love are. And you never will. This is my last statement regarding such individuals, I promise, but I am sorry because my children are reading this. Shame on you.

To all the rest of you, thousands of compatriots of all generations, different profiles and professions, who congratulated me and enjoyed with me the unreal success of our boys, once again a big thank you for the thousands of messages and everything else. Thank you to Ivica Osim, Sergej Barbarez, Husref Musemić, Samir Avdić, Damir Mršić, Elvir Bolić, my friends from America, Germany and Canada, journalists from Zagreb, Split, Belgrade, and all media in BiH who experienced what was happening as our common success. And just one thing to conclude, WE MOVE ON...

Sabahudin Baho Topalbećirević (taken from a private Facebook profile, taken without changes)