Serbia celebrates two decades of CISM membership

 

 

BELGRADE (SRB) - On May 18, 2023, a ceremony was held in the reception hall of the Serbian Army House in Belgrade to commemorate the two decades of membership of the Republic of Serbia in the International Military Sports Council (CISM). The ceremony was presided over by Nemanja Starović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense, Siniša Radović, Assistant to the Minister of Defense for Human Resources, Lieutenant General Petar Cvetković, Vice Chief of Staff of the Serbian Army, as well as Zoran Gajić, Minister of Sports.

 

Siniša Radović, Assistant to the Minister of Defense, conveyed greetings and congratulations from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Miloš Vučević on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the CISM Serbian Branch. He emphasized that these years have been marked by hard work and many successes for many people in the military. He also emphasized that the physical training and psycho-physical preparation of Serbian soldiers was and remains a priority within their army.

 

 

"Twenty years ago, the Republic of Serbia became a member of our organization, providing Serbia with a framework and credibility to compete with the best athletes from armed forces around the world. Time and again, their athletes have made their nation proud and happy," stressed Siniša Radović, assistant to the Minister of Defense.

 

"Sport, whether it is a game, combat, training or competition, represents confrontations requiring strength, courage, endurance to the limit, agility, skill, motivation and many other qualities. These are characteristics and qualities that distinguish Serbian soldiers, as well as all athletes. Let me emphasize once again that our soldiers perform all preparations, travel, participate in competitions while simultaneously performing their regular duties within their units. Therefore, I once again pay tribute to all athletes of the Serbian Army, wishing them a successful continuation of their work and better results."

 

Minister Gajić extended his congratulations to the military athletes on the occasion of their jubilee, stressing that the prestigious history of the Serbian Army continues to inspire their elite athletes when they win the most important global awards. However, he stressed that success is not only measured by the number of medals, but also by the way they are achieved.

 

 

"I want to thank you for your wonderful and courageous history, which you are the heirs of. I congratulate you on this great jubilee and know that the Ministry of Sports as well as I will fully support you in all your actions," said Minister Gajić.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Negovan Ivanković, Chief of the Serbian delegation to CISM, recalled that this organization promotes friendship between military athletes from around the world with the aim of promoting peace and security.

 

"Since our membership in CISM, the Serbian delegation to CISM has participated in about 200 activities and taken part in 113 competitions, winning 85 awards. We have also successfully organized numerous sports events and participated in international sports events, which has helped the Republic of Serbia gain considerable reputation and respect," stressed Lt. Col. Ivanković.

 

 

To celebrate the jubilee, the Serbian delegation to CISM presented recognitions to the most successful athletes and sports teams of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army from the previous year. Plaques of merit were also presented to individuals, institutions, collaborators and athletes for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of military sport and the results achieved by the Serbian delegation to CISM.

 

The trophy for the best athlete of the year 2022, belonging to the sports unit of the Military Academy of the Defense University, was awarded to Aleksandar Kukolj. The latter was runner-up in two Grand Slam judo tournaments in Baku and Antalya, and bronze medalist in Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. The presentation of the trophy was carried out by the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Radović. Minister Gajić, on the other hand, awarded the distinction of the Sports Team of the Year to the Serbian National Military Team in Futsal. This team won the international sport and peace tournament "13th CISM Futsal Cup for Peace" in 2022 in Novi Sad.

 

 

During this event, awards were presented in recognition of the outstanding contribution to the consolidation of the reputation of the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia through impressive sports performances during the past year. The recipients of the awards include Private Djura Borbelj, who has distinguished himself in numerous marathon and half-marathon competitions, the Army sports team, victorious in the Army of Serbia championship in the 10-kilometer obstacle course, as well as the most promising sports team of the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia in 2022, the "Nemanjić Eagles" of the Military Decathlon of the Military Academy. The winners received their awards from General Cvetković, Vice Chief of Staff of the General Staff, Brigadier General Muharem Fazlić, Head of the Directorate of Training and Doctrine (J-7) of the General Staff of the Army of Serbia, as well as Tanja Medved, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Sports of the National Assembly of Serbia.

 

 

In recognition of their outstanding contribution to the promotion of military sport and the results achieved by the Serbian delegation to CISM, awards were also presented to Minister of Sports Gajić, President of the Olympic Committee of Serbia Božidar Maljković, Provincial Secretary for Sports and Youth of Vojvodina, Daneta Basti, to Tanja Medved, Chair of the Sports Subcommittee of the National Assembly of Serbia, as well as to the representatives of prominent sports institutions, organizational units of the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia, as well as the heads of the Serbian delegation from 2003 to 2023.

 

Recognition was also given to national sports organizations, leaders, coaches, athletes and employees, as well as to representatives of municipalities, local governments, media and legal entities.

 

 

In recognition of their 20 years of active participation in the preparation and implementation of the activities of the Serbian delegation to CISM, as well as their outstanding contribution to the reputation gained by Serbia in this international military sports organization and to the promotion of military sport in Serbia and abroad, special awards were presented to Lieutenant Colonel Dragan Todorov and Captain Goran Čegar.

 

The ceremony, which included the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army, renowned sportsmen and sports enthusiasts in the armed forces, was closed with a musical performance by the Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defense "Stanislav Binički".

 

The General Secretariat of CISM, through a message from the President of CISM, Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, also congratulated the Serbian Armed Forces for their support and participation in the activities of CISM over the past twenty years : “ During these twenty years, Serbia has distinguished itself by its dedication and passion for military sport. Serbian athletes have demonstrated excellence on the playing field, proudly defending their country's colors and serving as an inspiring example for future generations. Your commitment to military sport has strengthened the bonds of camaraderie and solidarity between our nations, creating unbreakable ties within the CISM family “.

 

 

“I wish Serbia a bright and prosperous future within the CISM family. May you continue to demonstrate excellence in sport, promote the values we hold dear and inspire future generations through your unwavering commitment to military sport”, ended the CISM President in his video message.

 

Afterwards, the guests had the opportunity to visit an exhibition specially organized to commemorate Serbia's 20 years as a member of the International Military Sports Council.

 

(Source: https://www.mod.gov.rs/)