Ceremonial opening of the 28th Plazma Youth Sports Games in Zaprešić (Croatia)
Božinović: "Youth Sports Games are one of the strongest Croatian brands". More than 2,000 children participated in the competitions on Ivan Pavao II Square in Zaprešić.
The 28th season of Plazma Youth Sports Games was inaugurated in a grand ceremony on Ivan Pavao II Square in Zaprešić. The event was a spectacle of lights, music, and sportsmanship, led by the charismatic duo of Antonija Blaće and Frano Ridjan. The ceremony was broadcast live on Arena Sport, Sport Club, and N1 televisions, reaching audiences in nine countries.
Zdravko Marić, founder and president of Plazma Youth Sports Games, expressed his gratitude to the host city and all the sponsors whose generous contributions have made the Games a reality for many years and ensured that all participants and programs are completely free.
“Special Thanks are due to the Government of the Republic of Croatia, led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, for their unwavering support and recognition of the Games’ significance for children and youth. A heartfelt appreciation is also extended to Davor Božinović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, for his steadfast support over the past 14 years. With their continued support, we are committed to empowering children for a brighter future through sports.”
The Plazma Youth Sports Games, a beacon of sporting excellence, are proudly supported by numerous world institutions such as UEFA, FIBE, FIDE, IOC, the European Commission, and the European Union. Esteemed athletes and officials from around the globe endorse them. The Games’ Ambassadors, including renowned sports personalities like Luka Modrić, Domagoj Duvnjak, Nemanja Matić, Tomislav Zubčić, and Edin Džeko, sent their special greetings to the children, expressing their regret for not being able to attend the ceremony due to their commitments, but also promising to interact with the participants of the Games shortly.
All individuals and freely formed teams have the right to participate, and it is not only children and young people who are actively involved in sports. The Games, while promoting sports and the sports lifestyle, are aware of their influence and responsibility towards the participants – they promote companionship, tolerance, and inclusion, all to develop into responsible individuals in our society. All these values are encouraged by the Government of the Republic of Croatia and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Davor Božinović:
“I am overjoyed that after 14 years, when, thanks to the invitation of Zdravko Marić, I have been part of the most positive story not only in Croatia but in the whole of Europe, the opening of the Games is coming to Zaprešić. As a deputy prime minister, a parent, a grandfather, and a resident of Zaprešić, I feel a special sense of pride in this. Croatia is declared one of the safest countries in the world, and I am sure that the Youth Sports Games will make an important contribution and make this part of the world a better place to live. The Ministry of the Interior implements many projects to prevent violence every year. We are proud of these activities and the tens of thousands of young people we touch through them. Still, I can say without hesitation that the Youth Sports Games were our older and much more successful role model. 2.7 million children felt the warmth of this event without incident, where instead of being bombarded with different screens, they spent their time completely focused on each other through play and competition. The values of tolerance, respect, love for sports, and positive competition that the Games have been propagating for almost three decades have the power to change our society permanently. The Croatian police will continue to protect the order and safety of our fellow citizens, but this project is the best answer as a whole; we need to take a strategic, permanent, preventive approach to hooliganism, vandalism, and violence of all forms. The Government of the Republic of Croatia has up to now, and I am sure that it will continue to support one of the strongest Croatian brands, which the Youth Sports Games certainly are.”
The flame of the Youth Sports Games was brought to Zaprešić in a grand ceremony. Denis Špoljarić, a former world and Olympic handball winner, led the ceremony, lighting the flame for the 28th time. He was joined by distinguished guests, including Zdravko Marić, Deputy Prime Minister Davor Božinović, Željko Turk, Mayor of Zaprešić, Ana Kovačević, Group Brand Manager Bambi ad and Zrinka Ujević, Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia.
After the ceremonial program, more than 2,000 children competed in dodgeball and athletics as part of the Telemach Sports Day. They fought to qualify for the Plazma Youth Sports Games national finals. Also, the qualification tournaments of the biggest mini-football tournament in Europe, the Coca-Cola Cup, the Kinder Joy tournament in street basketball, and the MIS tournament in volleyball were held.
Zaprešić Boys warmed up the fan atmosphere at the opening with energetic hits, and Zsa Zsa performed in the entertainment program.
Plazma Youth Sports Games provide children of elementary and high school age with the opportunity to participate completely free of charge in competitions organized at a professional level in 10 sports from January to September: Coca-Cola Cup in futsal, Tommy tournament in futsal , HEP tournament in handball, MIS tournament in volleyball , PAKET24 cup in tennis, Kinder Joy tournament in street basketball, Fide tournament in chess, beach volleyball, dodgeball, athletics and table tennis.
The Games are a kind of phenomenon that, with its 28-year tradition, proves that good vision, systematic work, and perseverance can overcome all challenges and how important it is to play sports, Ana Kovačević, Group Brand Manager Bambi a.d., pointed out: “We are happy that Plazma has the opportunity to support this noble initiative, in which we believe so much and have been a proud patron for seven years, and what we are most proud of are the wonderful children’s friendships forming at the Plazma Games.”
Dear children, engage in sports, play, and foster friendships. We extend our best wishes for all your upcoming competitions. Remember, we stand by you until the final victory in Split.
Numerous guests from Croatia’s political, economic, and sports life attended the opening. Tomislav Družak and Josip Pavić, State Secretaries of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Darko Vučić, Head of the Development and Competitive Sports Sector of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Karlo Ressler, Member of the European Parliament, Csaba Demscak, Ambassador of Hungary, Gjorgji Hristov, General Manager of Coca-Cola Company Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adrian Ježina, President of the Telemach Hrvatska Management Board, Ivan Vlaho, Deputy CEO of UniCredit Groupe for Central and Eastern Europe and President of the ZABA Management Board, Sanela Prelić, Marketing Manager Bambi a.d., representatives of Podravka, Ivan Tolj, representative of Styria media group, former footballers Silvio Marić and Branko Stupar, Velimir Zajec, president of GNK Dinamo Zagreb and coach Sergej Jakirović and Dinamo footballers Petar Sučić and Mauro Perković, who after the ceremony cheered the children on the sports fields.
Plazma Youth Sports Games will gather over 110,000 participants in Croatia this year.
