The 14th season of the Youth Sports Games was officially inaugurated with a grand and significant ceremony on Ilidža

Although this year's competitive activities started even earlier, with yesterday's Opening Ceremony hosted by the Municipality of Ilidža, the Plazma Youth Sports Games officially launched the 14th season of our country's most beautiful sports story.

Yesterday, the central square in Ilidža was a vibrant hub of unity and joy, filled with over 3,000 boys and girls from elementary schools in ​​the Municipality of Ilidža. The atmosphere was further elevated by many guests who were part of the ceremonial opening of the Plazma Youth Sports Games. The youngest participants of YSG had the opportunity to socialize, have fun, and later compete in dodgeball (between two fires) and athletics. The live broadcast of the one-hour ceremony was realized this year on N1, Sport Klub, and Arena Sport channels. The Games’ Grand Finale has been held in Ilidža for the past few years, and this year, the cooperation with the Ilidža Municipality has been expanded. With this hosting, this Sarajevo municipality has become one of the four regional YSG centers for this season, joining Zaprešić, Ljubljana, and Belgrade, which were the hosts—the opening of the Games in Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia. The Mayor of the Municipality shared with those present his satisfaction that Ilidža was chosen as the host of this great YSG activity.

“We are happy and proud to be one of the region’s four Games hosts. We thank the Organizing Committee of the Games for choosing us and our wonderful square to host. Of course, we owe special thanks to the children and all the teachers, whose presence gave full meaning to all of this. Ilidža is the home of top athletes and winners of European and Olympic medals, so I hope that all of you, in addition to medals, will take away nice memories from here and meet new friends,” said Nermin Muzur, Mayor of Ilidža Municipality, in his address.

The Games will hold this year’s competitive activities in 46 BH cities and municipalities in cooperation with local communities and institutions. The Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the special partner of the Games this year. On behalf of the Sarajevo Canton Government, the Minister of Culture and Sports of the KS, Kenan Magoda, greeted all those present.

“Seeing all of you in such numbers in one place is truly a joy and happiness for everyone, especially for those of us who are in sports and who work to bring smiles to the faces of everyone, especially children, by investing in sports activities. I wish you all the best of luck at the competitions. The Games are an opportunity to show our tolerance and true values, in addition to sportsmanship,” said Kenan Magoda.

Through all its activities, the Youth Sports Games help create responsible members of our society who will build their future based on positive sports values. It would not be possible without the invaluable support of our long-standing sponsors and partners, including Bambi a.d., Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola HBC, m:tel, Moja Kravica, Kinder, Podravka, Pili, Toyota, Pharmanova, JUB Jupol, Lottery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Avtera, City of Sarajevo, Visit Sarajevo and UEFA Foundation for Children. Their continued support is instrumental in the success of the Games, and a representative of the company m:tel, one of our sponsors, expressed his satisfaction at being part of the most beautiful sports story for the third year already.

“We are happy to be here again this year. The m:tel company supports all events that promote sportsmanship, true values ​​, and friendship among young people. We are extremely proud to be part of the event that brings together thousands of children from Bosnia and Herzegovina”, said Stefan Ličina, head of public relations at m:tel.

The general sponsor of this season’s Youth Sports Games is Bambi a.d. through its Plazma brand. Plazma is precisely reminiscent of childhood and growing up, so the Games, according to the representative of this company, are the right opportunity to implement the campaign ‘Equal in Sport.’

“Plazma has supported the Youth Sports Games for seven years, and this year, we are a regional sponsor in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia. Our greatest desire is to encourage young people to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, but also to nurture the values ​​that sport brings with it – team spirit, togetherness, and fair play,” said Ana Kovačević, Group Brand Manager of Bambi a.d. Company.

The ceremony was enhanced by the performances of boys and girls from the “Lužani” kindergarten, freestyler Samir Salčin, who entertained all those present with his skill with the ball, and members of the Sarajevo Pop-Rock School. Throughout its existence, the Games have become a recognizable brand, attracting the attention of top athletes and sports officials. Since they could not personally attend the ceremony, Edin Džeko, Luka Modrić, Nemanja Matić, Džanan Musa, Josip Perić and Amel Tuka sent greetings video messages.

In his welcoming speech, the regional YSG Organizing Committee president, Zdravko Marić, thanked all who have been with Plazma Youth Sports Games in Bosnia and Herzegovina for years.

“I would like to thank the mayor and administration of the Municipality of Ilidža, who recognized the significance and importance of our project and joined our YSG family. Of course, thanks also go to all our sponsors and partners, our sponsor, the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports, and the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina media partners. Still, of course, we owe the greatest gratitude to the children,” said Marić.

The Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports sponsors this year’s Plazma Youth Games regional competition. Lidija Bradara, President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attended the ceremony.

“It is my pleasure to be at one of the ceremonies of the Youth Sports Games. The Games are one of the most critical events in the region, a positive story that should reach every home and every inhabitant of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am looking forward to all this incredible energy and everything that awaits us in this Youth Sports Games season, “said Lidija Bradara.

From the open studio, during the live broadcast of the ceremony, Irfan Čengić – Mayor of Stari Grad Municipality, Samir Avdić – Deputy Mayor of Sarajevo, Jasmin Ademović – Chairman of the City Council of the City of Sarajevo, Nikad Uk – Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, and Saša Magazinović – Member of Parliament addressed the audience.

The ceremonial part of the program ended with the lighting of the YSG flame of friendship on Ilidža, which, accompanied by the mascot Viktor, was lit by representatives of elementary schools from the area of ​​this municipality. After the ceremony, boys and girls from 1st to 5th grade competed in the Moja Kravica Cup, dodgeball, and athletics. At the same time, in the afternoon, the Kinder Joy of Moving Cup was held in basketball.