More Than 3,000 Children Open the Jubilee 30th Season of the Plazma Youth Sports Games in Osijek

More than 3,000 children gathered at the Srednjoškolsko igralište sports field for the ceremonial opening of the 30th season of the Plazma Youth Sports Games powered by Gorenje. The jubilee season at the Srednjika sports field was opened under the patronage of the City of Osijek, and those gathered were addressed by Deputy Mayor Dragan Vulin:

“I am extremely pleased that we are starting this great jubilee, the 30th anniversary of the Plazma Youth Sports Games, right here in Osijek — a city of sport, a city that is progressing in every segment, and I would say especially in sport. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all great success, and I hope that today you socialize, compete and enjoy yourselves, and that as many of you as possible continue to play sports.”

Zdravko Marić, President of the Plazma Youth Sports Games, thanked the host, the City of Osijek, and Osijek-Baranja County, and said:

“To you, children, goes the biggest thank you, because without you the Games would not exist. I am very happy that in Osijek and the county we have an increasing number of children participating in the Games. I am glad that you recognize what we do, and I hope that we will gather in even greater numbers in Split. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, as well as all partners, because without their support we would not be able to organize the Games.”

Socializing, tolerance and inclusion, along with the promotion of sport and a healthy lifestyle, are the goals of the Plazma Youth Sports Games. Participation is completely free of charge and open to everyone — both individuals and freely formed teams — regardless of whether they actively practice sport. The importance of positive social impact, as well as responsibility toward young people as they grow into active and aware members of society, has also been recognized by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, led by Andrej Plenković, as well as by the relevant Ministry of Tourism and Sport, whose envoy Josip Pavić greeted those present:

“As a former athlete and now State Secretary at the Ministry, I must emphasize how happy and proud I am to see more than 3,000 children at the opening of the Youth Sports Games. This is the image of sport we want — sport that gives children the opportunity to make new friendships, socialize and adopt values that will accompany them throughout life. Thank you to the organizers who, over the past 30 years, have built the Youth Sports Games into one of the most recognizable brands of Croatian sport.”

Tatjana Turalija, Head of the Administrative Department for Economy and Tourism, greeted those present on behalf of the Prefect of Osijek-Baranja County, Nataša Tramišak, and the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković:

“Such a large number of children confirms that the Plazma Youth Sports Games play an important role in the development of recreational sport, and that through continuous initiatives we are building a strong community and support for young athletes. I wish you a great time today and many new experiences. Thank you to the organizers and to you, children, for bringing us together here today.”

The Flame of the Youth Sports Games was brought to Osijek by celebrated athletes Donna Vekić and Luka Pratljačić, accompanied by children and athletes Tin Lučin, Petar Krpan, Aurel Benović, David Šain, Mia Wild, Ivan Horvat, Luka Čarapović, Borna and Nika Bilandžić, and together with distinguished guests they ceremonially lit it.

“It is a great pleasure for me to have opened the Youth Sports Games and brought the flame to Osijek. I myself took part in the Games in 2004. It is wonderful to see so many children involved in sport, and I hope that every year there will be even more participants in this unique project,” said Donna Vekić.

The Sports Day continued with competitions in dodgeball and athletics as part of Telemach Sports Day, the Coca-Cola Cup — the largest small-sided football tournament in Europe — the 3×3 Sprite Cup, an exhibition Wiener chess tournament, and the “Zero Waste – Be Part of the Game – Let’s Protect Our Planet” sports and environmental project. An interactive workshop titled “Mental Hygiene” was also held. During the season, children will also take part in the HEP handball tournament, the GEN-I Cup in volleyball, the Kinder Joy table tennis tournament, the Tommy small-sided football tournament, beach volleyball and tennis.

“We are glad to be part of a story that brings together so many children through sport, unity, friendship and fair play. Sport and Gorenje have loved each other for a very long time because we believe that sport teaches values we all need throughout life. These are consistency, perseverance, respect for opponents and belief in oneself,” said Stella Nišević, Regional Marketing Manager at Gorenje.

The importance of socializing and equality in sport was also emphasized by Strahinja Inić, Group Brand Manager at Bambi a.d.:

“Dear YSG participants, this year we have once again gathered around the same idea — an idea that promotes play, sport and friendship. As part of a company whose brands generations have grown up with, we are proud to be part of this great story that grows year after year and reminds us that on the field we are all equal. Every child has the right to play and practice sport.”

The opening was attended by numerous guests from Croatia’s political, economic and sporting life, as well as representatives of Coca-Cola HBC, Podravka, Wiener Insurance and Telemach Croatia. The Plazma Youth Sports Games enjoy the support of leading international institutions such as UEFA, FIBA, FIDE, the IOC and the European Union, as well as many top athletes. The children were also greeted by Games ambassadors Luka Modrić, Domagoj Duvnjak, Aleksandar Kolarov, Šime Vrsaljko, Edin Džeko and Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, with a message that they would see them soon at the Games.

The audience at Srednjika was delighted by energetic performances from Ana Ajduković and Leo Rados, as well as the Brevis Vocal Ensemble. In addition to Croatia, the Plazma Youth Sports Games are also held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia and North Macedonia, and this year they will gather more than 400,000 children and young people.