“Small Football School” completed, diplomas and jerseys awarded to the best

The project “Small Football School”, funded by the Municipality of Stari Grad and implemented by the Association for Sport, Recreation, Education and Training “Bistrik”, was completed today with a ceremony awarding diplomas and jerseys to the best participants. Certificates of appreciation for support in the realization of the project were presented to Mayor Ibrahim Hadžibajrić and the Local Development Sector of the Municipality of Stari Grad, reports Patria. 

The diploma awarding ceremony was held at the Municipality of Stari Grad, and among the nine best elementary school football players from Stari Grad, there was also one girl, 12-year-old Nejra Behlulović. She says she started playing football out of love.

- I decided to pursue this sport because I liked how it was progressing, so I started training too. I like the relationships between the athletes and the teachers, they are kind, nice, we have fun and play many games - said Nejra. She claims that the coaches are satisfied with her work, and that she will continue to train in the future, as well as play football recreationally with her friends from the neighborhood.

Her peer from Bistrik, Amin Fočo, also says that he has always played football with his friends and that is why he decided to join the Small Football School.

- We have fun, we are not bored, and that's why I joined the School. I learned new techniques and moves, our coach taught us not to be selfish. I play football all the time, ever since kindergarten. And I love football - Amin explained.

Incidentally, the “Small Football School” is one of nine projects approved by the Public Call of the Municipality of Stari Grad for 2016. The Municipality financed this project with approximately 8,600 KM.

Before awarding the diplomas and jerseys, the Mayor of Stari Grad Municipality told the students that he would like the project to continue this year.

- The Municipality of Stari Grad allocated over 100,000 KM for projects of non-governmental organizations last year, including the “Bistrik” Association, which makes me particularly happy. I want you to receive funds for the project this year as well and try to prepare it well, because it is a pleasure for me to see our children engaged in sports and such activities - said Hadžibajrić.

The Small Football School lasted for seven months, and it included about 60 students, aged from the second to the ninth grade of elementary school. Training sessions were held at Elementary School “Edhem Mulabdić” and at the “Bentbaša” sports fields.

Almir Behlulović, president of the “Bistrik” Association, thanked the Municipality for the support and said that the significance of the project lies in the fact that some participants encountered a football school, training sessions, and similar activities for the first time.

- Most of these children come from the hillside areas of Stari Grad and encountered a football school for the first time. During the duration of the football school, the participants had the opportunity to play matches against other associations, where they achieved good results, although we prioritize socializing and integration. There have always been talents in Stari Grad, and there will be in the future - said Behlulović. He announced that the project could continue this year.