Vanja Udovičić: With colleagues in BiH, we can implement many projects, after all, we are neighbors

Vanja Udovičić, once one of the best European and world water polo players, after retiring from active play, as a graduate engineer of the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, decided to bravely enter the political waters and return sports to where it belongs with his colleagues. They do not lack knowledge, courage, and energy. One of the things that is currently topical is that after ten years, the sports fair has been organized again in Serbia, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

- I hope this is just one of the steps towards popularizing Serbian sports and that this is the right base where children can try what interests them on the spot and possibly decide what they will train, and also socialize with their idols. It is enough to note that on the first day of the fair alone, there were over 5,000 visitors, and before that, the record was held by the book fair, which had 1,500 visitors on the first day - said Udovičić.

He stated that it is evident that there is potential, but he emphasized that young people must be made more aware of the importance of engaging in sports.

- We plan to organize a University League (which is normal in Europe) to involve young people immediately after high school, and later we would establish leagues for primary and secondary schools. Increase the number of anti-doping controls as well. I am proud that last year we did not have a single athlete test positive. Construction of numerous courts - said Udovičić.

NAP: How did you manage when you became a minister almost directly from the pool?

Udovičić: Slowly but surely. The most important thing is to have a good team of people around you. I listen to the advice of older and more experienced colleagues around me, I accept well-intentioned advice, I reject malicious advice, and that's how I swim.

NAP: How can cooperation between BiH and Serbia in the field of sports be increased?

Udovičić: Through more projects that would be concretely implemented, then exchange of experiences, organization of professional conferences, and much more. After all, we are neighbors.

NAP: What do you value most in the field of sports in BiH?

Udovičić: In every country, I value effort, work, and discipline. The desire to introduce something new and to be better in every step. We don't have much money (but we use it in the best way) to give our maximum.

NAP: You stated that extracurricular sports must be improved? How to do that?

Udovičić: We used to see children playing freely in front of buildings, but today it's very rare; computers and phones have become almost their best friends. Therefore, it is necessary to improve sports in schools, both in the curriculum and in extracurricular programs. Together, we can make certain progress in that direction. For example, recently I personally congratulated a man from the interior of Serbia who taught over 800 people to swim in a year. Of course, completely free of charge. What could be more beautiful and humane than that?

NAP: People who know you say that fame hasn't changed you?

Udovičić: They probably expected me to be different. Actually, I am in balance. I have defined myself over time. Secondly, it is a great thing when you do a job in which you are truly fulfilled. I managed to achieve balance.