​Osijek-Baranja County presented as European Region of Sport in 2024

Croatian MEP Karlo Ressler and Osijek-Baranja County organised in Brussels the conference 'European role in sports', which brought together numerous athletes, Olympians and sports workers from Slavonia with the aim of representing Osijek-Baranja County in the field of sports.

This is the reason why this eastern county has been declared the European Region of Sport in 2024.

The conference was attended by Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac, Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Ivan Anušić , State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Tomislav Družak, Head of the Department of Sports of the European Commission Florencia Van Houdt , famous Croatian handball player Vedran Zrnić, representatives of the Osijek Football Club, the NEXE handball club and other prominent figures.

The conclusion of the conference is that sport, as the biggest promoter of Croatia and the bearer of well-being for the entire community, especially young people, should be available to everyone.

Ressler pointed out that sport in Croatia is fascinating precisely because it is a country of four million inhabitants whose main sports infrastructure is based on the Universiade and the Mediterranean Games, but despite the challenges, it achieves successes that are admired by the whole world.

"From the Kostelić family, Goran's (Ivanišević) Wimbledon, basketball in Barcelona, ​​handball in Atlanta and Athens, football in France, Russia and Qatar, to numerous Olympic, world and European medals in team and individual sports - Croatia is a unique, European sports power, a country that is near the very top when looking at the number of Olympic medals in relation to the number of inhabitants. We need to make significant progress in systematic and long-term investment in sports, from the state to the local level, but also enable higher investments from the private sector, and Europe can make its contribution, especially through European funds," said Ressler.

Prefect Anušić, spoke about the importance of sports in the development and growth of children and young people, emphasizing the benefits of sports for the entire community.

Minister Brnjac expressed her satisfaction with the efforts and successes of Osijek-Baranja County regarding the development of sports and highlighted the ways in which the government and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports are strengthening this.

(Hina/FaH)

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