Many excited teenagers were gathered in Arilje in Southwest Serbia this weekend to participate in the first youth handball tournament arranged in the region.
In total 20 handball clubs from all of the countries in the former Yugoslavia participated in the handball tournament “Arilje for Friendship 2014”, lasting from May 1st -4th.
Due to the little contact and communication between the young population in the region, the organizers of the tournament “HC Arilje handball club” wanted to arrange a sport tournament in order to create new contacts and friendships between youth in the underdeveloped parts in the region.
The handball clubs participating were thus coming from rural areas where there are few opportunities for youth to travel and visit the neighbouring countries, according to the organisers.
Judging by two of the contestants experiences, the tournament and the weekend spent in Arilje was a great success regardless of the heavy rain which poured down during the Serbian 1st of May holiday this year.
Both Eldin Curovac from Goradze, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kristina Petrovic from Zeta, Montenegro, who were both staying at the same floor during the tournament, could tell that they had already become friends as they were socializing in the evening time.
“The disco on Friday was excellent”, exclaimed both of them when asked about their experiences from Arilje.
“I hope that the tournament will be arranged also next year”, told Kristina.
Her wish might come true, as the organisers were very positive about the chances of arranging the handball tournament also next year, making it an annual tournament.
“The know-how gained in 2014 will be used to organise the tournament the coming years”, told Ilija Jovic, project manager and sport enthusiast.
It was clear from the enthusiasm and positive atmosphere at the last day of the tournament on Sunday May 4th that the participants and organisers had very positive experiences from the tournament.
“Almost the whole local community in Arilje has been involved. Everyone wants to help out and has wholeheartly done so”, said Jovic.
The winners of the tournament were HC Samot Arandjelovac (Male) from Serbia and HC Knezopoljka Kozarska Dubica I (Female) from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The best players and trainers were also awarded next to the three best teams. Photos and other information can be found at the tournament’s Facebook page.
The tournament was supported by the Norwegian embassy through the Embassy fund with EUR 15 500/NOK 125 000
source: www.norveska.org.rs/
