Ceremonial Opening of the 13th Season of the Plazma Youth Sports Games Held in Novi Sad

The ceremonial opening of the 13th season of the Plazma Youth Sports Games powered by Gorenje was held on April 28 in Novi Sad, at the SC “Spens” hall, starting at 11 a.m., in the presence of a large number of children.

The competitive part of the program began as early as 9 a.m., with participants trying their hand at numerous sports disciplines, including the Coca-Cola Cup and the Telekom Srbija Cup in small-sided football, the Lino dodgeball game, the 3×3 Sprite Cup, the 60-meter race, as well as volleyball, once again confirming that the Games nurture sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play from the earliest age.

The ceremonial opening was attended by representatives of religious communities, the Minister of Sports and Youth Zoran Gajić, the Mayor of Novi Sad Žarko Mićin, the President of the Plazma Youth Sports Games Zdravko Marić, as well as representatives of the general partner, the company Bambi a.d., from all five countries in which the Games are held, representatives of Dunav Insurance, Saša Marković, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Serbia, and representatives of Telekom Srbija. The event was also attended by numerous athletes and ambassadors of the Games, including Predrag Mijatović, ambassador of the Plazma Youth Sports Games, Dušan Bulut, Nikola Rađen, Kodi Miller-McIntyre, basketball player of KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet, Aleksej Nedeljković, basketball player of KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet, Maša Janković, basketball player of KK Crvena zvezda, as well as Andrea Lekić, General Manager of the Serbian women’s national teams. The ceremonial opening was also attended by representatives of religious communities, as well as mayors and municipal representatives.

One of the most emotional moments of the ceremonial opening was the lighting ceremony of the Flame of Friendship, which was brought in by Dušan Bulut, the world’s best 3×3 basketball player, multiple gold medal winner at world championships and Olympic bronze medalist, together with young future champions and the Games’ mascot, Lav Viktor, with the support of friends of the Games. This symbol of unity and sportsmanship once again sent a strong message about the importance of friendship, fair play and healthy lifestyles.

As part of the ceremonial program, the “Zmajići” choir performed the anthem of the Republic of Serbia and the anthem of the Plazma Youth Sports Games, while the popular rap group THCF and well-known YouTuber and pro streetball player Nemanja Blažić Tricky further lifted the atmosphere among those present.

Minister of Sports and Youth Zoran Gajić stated:

“It is a great honor and pleasure for me to greet you today at the opening of the new season of the Youth Sports Games. These Games are not only a sports competition, but also a symbol of friendship, unity, fair play and healthy lifestyles. For years, the Youth Sports Games have been bringing together tens of thousands of children across the region, giving them the opportunity to try sports and learn true life values. Our goal is clear — to provide every child in Serbia with access to sport, because sport is not a privilege, but a right. Dear children, you are the future of our sport, but also of our country. Use these Games to show your talents, but also to enjoy yourselves, socialize and build friendships for life. I hereby declare the Games open!”

Mayor of Novi Sad Žarko Mićin said:

“The City of Novi Sad has the honor of hosting the ceremonial opening of the 13th season of the Plazma Youth Sports Games for Serbia. As the European City of Sport for 2026, our city once again confirms its commitment to the development of sport, youth and the values that sport carries — equality, fair play and responsibility. The special value of this event lies in the fact that it represents a meeting place for young people from the former Yugoslav republics, who connect, socialize and compete through sport in a true sporting spirit, building the foundations of a safer shared future. The City will continue to invest strongly in sports infrastructure, support school and inclusive sport, and create conditions for sport to be accessible to everyone. I wish all participants the best of sporting luck, and may fair play be the greatest victory!”

President of the Plazma Youth Sports Games Zdravko Marić said:

“I am glad that we are in Novi Sad today, a wonderful city. Many thanks to our hosts and the Mayor for the excellent welcome and support. For years, the Plazma Youth Sports Games have brought together a large number of children from Novi Sad and all of Serbia, and that is exactly why it is especially important to us that we are here today. Many thanks to all the ambassadors, public figures, sponsors, media and everyone who has followed and supported us for years. I extend special gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, for their strong support and understanding of the importance of this project. We have been present in Serbia for 13 years, and we hope that together we will continue for many more years. And the biggest thank you goes to you, children — because all of this exists because of you. I wish you to enjoy yourselves, make friends, compete and remember the Games with a smile.”

Today, the Plazma Youth Sports Games are held in five countries of the region — Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and North Macedonia — with the aim of promoting healthy lifestyles, fair play, friendship and unity, with completely free participation for all children. Over three decades of existence, the Games have gathered millions of children across the region, building a community based on sport and positive values.

The realization of the Games and the Sports Day program has been made possible thanks to the strong support of partners and sponsors, especially the Government of the Republic of Serbia, which recognizes the importance of sport and healthy lifestyle habits for younger generations. Support is also provided by the companies Bambi, Coca-Cola HBC Serbia, Telekom Srbija, Dunav Insurance, Vienna Insurance Group, Wiener Städtische Insurance, UEFA Foundation for Children, Banka Poštanska štedionica and Podravka, whose continuous support contributes to the development and growth of the Plazma Youth Sports Games.