Special Awards During Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony for the Sarajevo European Judo Hopes Tournament was a star-studded event, welcoming the President of the European Judo Union, Dr Laszlo TOTH, Vice President of the European Judo Union, Ivan TODOROV, President of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Judo Federation, Ognjen PAVLOVIC and European Judo Union Development Director, Dr Branislav CRNOGORAC.

First to address the Hotel Hills Arena was President Pavlovic.

Dear President Toth and Vice President Todorov, ambassadors and government members, athletes and coaches, welcome to Sarajevo, welcome to the city of sport. I have the honour to welcome you on behalf of the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I wish you beautiful memories here in Sarajevo. I would like to thank my co workers for this organisation, and a give a special thank you to President Toth who always finds the time and energy to honour us with his presence. Last year, we held the first edition of this event and made history, and now this year we have record numbers. I hope you leave here happy to come again, and we wish to have peace in the world. May the best win.

President of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Judo Federation, Ognjen PAVLOVIC © Rui Telmo Romão

Dr Crnogorac followed,

Ladies and gentlemen, athletes, coaches, referees, judo family, welcome to Sarajevo, thank you very much for coming here and I am happy that together, we enjoy this judo tournament for u13 and u15, and I hope you all enjoy the Kodokan seminar. I would like to say many thanks to President Toth, who always supports our federation and I also say many thanks to Toshihiro Aiki Ambassador to Japan, Ivan Todorov, Ambassador of Serbia, and to all who support this tournament.

We are a relatively young member of the EJU and IJF but we have organised many competitions on the EJU Tour, but also two Cadet World Championships. I believe we are a great example of how a small budget but big heart can make a great result. Thank you to the organising committee, to the young judoka, I hope you have a dream for the Olympic Games and make this dream come true. I wish you all a nice stay in Sarajevo! Thank you!

President of the European Judo Union, Dr Laszlo TOTH © Rui Telmo Romão

Dear President Pavlovic, Vice President Todorov, Education Director, Branislav Crnogorac, distinguished guests, judo heroes, boys and girls, all of our family members, it is a pleasure for me to welcome you here in Sarajevo. We started to write history last year in Sarajevo with the U15 tournament, now today and tomorrow we continue with more history, now including U13 competition.

It is really a big honour for me to see all of you spectators and family members for this beautiful atmosphere, I feel like we are in a Grand Prix or Grand Slam. It is a high quality event and I wish I could give all of you a gold medal for your efforts, congratulations for all of this development and your preparations. Congratulations to you, and to the coaches and families who support you. Special thanks to the Judo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to EJU team. I declare the Sarajevo European Judo Hopes Tournament, open.

Following the welcome words and official opening, President Toth continued with the awarding presentation, starting with Dr Milanko MUCIBABIC, who was awarded his 9th Dan Diploma from the International Judo Federation.

In celebration of the Paris Olympic Games, Larisa CERIC, who played 7th and has competed in three Olympic Games was given the Paris Olympic Plaque, followed by Paris Olympic Games participant, Aleksandra SAMARDZIC. President Pavlovic received the plaque on behalf of the federation and finally, Dr Crnogorac was awarded the plaque for his position of Olympic coach.

To honour President Toth, Dr Crnogorac thanked him with the ‘Heart of Sarajevo’.