To support sports organizations in implementing safeguarding measures, the Croatian Olympic Committee will conduct an educational program titled Sport Safety Days – A Place Where Conversation Begins on May 14 and 15 as part of the For Safe Sport project. The focus will be especially on athletes involved in the Croatian Olympic Committee’s programs, who will receive materials to help them recognize risks and understand how to report inappropriate behavior.The sessions, held at the Croatian Olympic Committee headquarters in Zagreb, will be tailored to different roles in sport – from athletes (May 14) to coaches (May 15) – ensuring that all participants gain the knowledge and tools necessary to create a safe sporting environment. This positive campaign aims to raise awareness and educate all stakeholders on the protection of children and athletes in sports settings, while also addressing the protection of coaches from societal, parental, and club-level pressures.Current and former elite athletes will significantly contribute to the project and education, including Martin and Valent Sinković, Marin Čilić, Barbara Matić, Miran Maričić, Domagoj Duvnjak, Ivan Martinović, Filip Glavaš, Matea Parlov Koštro, Iva Rožić, Jana Koščak, Snježana Pejčić, Vlado Šola, and Andrea Ivančević Petrač.Coaching support comes from Igor Čordaš (athletics), Mia Šimunić (water polo), Vladimir Mađarević (gymnastics), and many other distinguished guests, such as the Ombudsperson for Children Helenca Pirnat Dragičević, Chair of the Croatian Olympic Committee’s Gender Equality in Sport Commission Morana Paliković Gruden, Professor Igor Jukić, and psychologists Zrinka Greblo Jurakić and Ella Selak Bagarić. The message from the education's title – A Place Where Conversation Begins – serves as a reminder that the first step toward change is not a law, regulation, or protocol. On the contrary, the first step is conversation – honest, safe, and well-facilitated conversation where everyone has the right to be heard.This idea is also reflected in the project logo, which depicts a locked space being opened by a key – because safety begins where there is space for trust, for questions, and for support.

Zagreb, April 29, 2025 – Sport should be a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and dignified, regardless of gender, background, religion, ability, or any other characteristic – but that is not always the case. Violence, harassment, and abuse unfortunately exist even in sports.

Education “Sport Safety Days – A Place Where Conversation Begins”, May 14–15, Led by the Croatian Olympic Committee, Focuses on Combating Violence in Sport

As the only valid candidate who met all the requirements, his new four-year term was unanimously confirmed by the Council of the Croatian Olympic Committee at its 11th regular session, held on Thursday in Zagreb. His second term will begin upon the conclusion of the current one, on 10 May 2025.Krajač joined the Croatian Olympic Committee in 2001 from the Sports Department of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia. Four years ago, he assumed the current position after serving as Assistant Secretary General for Local Sport Programs. During his first term as the main operational lead of the Croatian Olympic Committee, he contributed to overcoming the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sports system, significantly supported the revitalization of sports infrastructure and sports activities in the earthquake-affected Banovina region, and played a key role in the relocation of the Croatian Olympic Committee to its own premises in mid-2024. - I thank the members of the Council for their renewed trust. I deeply believe that over the next four years we will continue our excellent cooperation for the benefit of Croatian athletes and Croatian sport as a whole,” said the reappointed Secretary General of the Croatian Olympic Committee. Among other decisions of the Croatian Olympic Committee Council at its 11th session, notable ones include amendments and updates to the beneficiaries of development programs for athletes and coaches. As of 1 April, Ivona Gavran and Križan Rajič (weightlifting), and Anamarija Turk (shooting) were included in the pre-Olympic program (RP V). The Croatian Wrestling Federation proposed, and the Council of the Croatian Olympic Committee accepted, the replacement of the youth coach program beneficiary: as of 1 April, long-time national team member Božo Starčević, now a coach at HK Metalac, has taken over from coach Nenad Žugaj, who stepped down due to a new job position.Financial support was approved for 24 beneficiaries under special programs for encouraging and developing sport at the local level in 2025.The Council also adopted the rules of procedure for nine Croatian Olympic Committee commissions: the Medical Commission, the Gender Equality in Sport Commission, the Sports Facilities and Environment Commission, the International Relations Commission, the Sport Development Commission, the Digitalisation and Digital Media Commission, the Marketing Commission, the Information and Publishing Commission, and the Dual Career in Sport Commission.Following a request from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport for an opinion on the interest in granting Croatian citizenship to certain athletes, the Croatian Olympic Committee gave a positive opinion regarding three baseball players: Zach Robert Plesac, Rendall Asher Wojciechowski, and Joseph Thomas Terdoslavich, all proposed by the Croatian Baseball Federation.The Council of the Croatian Olympic Committee also approved non-material sponsorships for the World Carp Fishing Championship (Đakovo, 17–20 September 2025), the European Cup “Zagreb Open 2025” in kickboxing (Varaždin, 1–4 May 2025), and the “Damir Zrilić” Memorial Boxing Tournament (Zadar, 11 May 2025). The Croatian Olympic Committee’s Milan Neralić Award Ceremony for outstanding contributions to local sports will be held on 7 May in Knin, while the next Council session is scheduled for 15 May in Zagreb. (hoo/vk) CURRICULUM VITAE OF SECRETARY GENERAL SINIŠA KRAJAČ: <a href="https://www.hoo.hr/page/681" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hoo.hr/page/681</a>

Zagreb, 24 April 2025 – Master of Kinesiology Siniša Krajač (56) has been reappointed as Secretary General of the Croatian Olympic Committee for the 2025–2029 term.

Siniša Krajač Appointed to a New Four-Year Term (2025–2029) as Secretary General of the Croatian Olympic Committee

The Croatian Olympic Committee is actively participating in the international OCEAN project (Olympic Committees of Europe Approaching Carbon Neutrality), which brings together National Olympic Committees from across Europe to reduce CO₂ emissions and promote sustainability in sport. As part of the project, the Croatian Olympic Committee has developed its own CO₂ Reduction Strategy, now published on the official website.The strategy outlines specific measures aimed at reducing emissions related to office operations, business travel, procurement, event organization, and energy efficiency. Key actions include a shift toward more sustainable transportation methods, purchasing products with a lower environmental footprint, promoting digital communication, and better monitoring of energy consumption. A major milestone in this effort will be the relocation to a new building owned by the Croatian Olympic Committee, which will allow for more efficient energy use and improved control over consumption data.Although the OCEAN project officially concludes in May 2025, the Croatian Olympic Committee remains committed to continuing the implementation of its strategy, reaffirming its dedication to environmental sustainability and long-term impact.The OCEAN project is coordinated by the European Olympic Committees and co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme. Throughout the project, National Olympic Committees have been exchanging knowledge, building capacity, and developing tools for measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Croatian Olympic Committee is proud to contribute to this shared goal and demonstrate that the world of sport can be a driver of positive change in the face of climate challenges. 👉 You can download the Croatian Olympic Committee’s CO₂ Reduction Strategy <a href="https://dev.hoo.hr/dokumenti/NOC-Croatia-CO2-Reduction-Strategy.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

clanci-slike/Snimka-zaslona-2025-04-11-161730.png

The Croatian Olympic Committee has taken an important step towards climate responsibility by developing and publishing its first strategy focused on reducing its carbon footprint. This initiative is part of the wider European OCEAN project aimed at helping National Olympic Committees become more sustainable.

Croatian Olympic Committee publishes its CO₂ reduction strategy as part of the OCEAN project

By raising white cards into the air, accomplished judokas led by Olympic gold medalist Barbara Matić expressed their support for the international “White Card” campaign, which symbolizes commitment to peace efforts around the world. Prior to them, Croatian women’s handball players had done the same, continuing the tradition set by their male counterparts, who were long-time participants in this commendable initiative. To recall, based on a proposal by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United Nations (UN), the UN General Assembly declared 6 April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 23 August 2013. It is on this date in 1896 that the first modern Olympic Games were opened in Athens. In September 2015, the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which highlights the essential role of sport in promoting development and peace, tolerance, and mutual respect among people. Celebrating this day also increases awareness of the positive impact sport can have on the advancement of human rights, as well as social and economic development.

clanci-slike/barbara-matić-bijeli-karton.jpeg

Zagreb, Dubrovnik, 6 April 2025 – Athletes have once again joined the traditional celebration of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (6 April), organized annually by the Croatian United Nations Association (CUNA) in cooperation with its partners. This year marks the 12th consecutive time athletes have taken part. Following the handball players, members of the national judo team also joined the initiative.

By Raising White Cards, Judokas Join Handball Players in Marking the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (6 April)

The IOC has published a comprehensive document highlighting global best practice examples in the field of gender equality. The “Women’s Voice in Sport” project, and through it the Croatian Olympic Committee, is featured on page 19 of the document. Following a series of successful workshops held in major cities across Croatia, the “Women’s Voice in Sport” project is expected to continue in smaller local communities in the near future. Link to the Croatian Olympic Committee’s project “Women’s Voice in Sport”: <a href="https://www.hoo.hr/page/674/1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hoo.hr/page/674/1</a>

clanci-slike/glas-zena-u-sportu_dubrovnik_1_2.jpg

Zagreb, 5 April 2025 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has once again recognized the “Women’s Voice in Sport” project, which has been implemented for several years by the Croatian Olympic Committee’s Gender Equality in Sport Commission, led by its Chair, Morana Paliković Gruden, in collaboration with her team and partner organizations.

Recognition for Morana Paliković Gruden’s Project – IOC Lists “Women’s Voice in Sport” as a Global Best Practice Example

This ambitious project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ program, aims to promote gender equality and support dual careers for young female athletes aged 14 to 26.The project brings together seven partners from six European countries (Croatia, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Portugal, and Ukraine) and focuses on addressing key challenges in the sports sector. Key outcomes include the development of educational resources through six learning modules, the creation of an innovative web platform with 24 online courses and assessment tools, and the establishment of a virtual community and mentorship program for young female athletes.During the meeting in Zagreb, project management and quality assurance plans were established, key partner roles were defined, and steps were outlined for research on the needs of young female athletes. Plans for the development of educational materials and the web platform were also presented, which will provide young athletes with essential knowledge and skills for future coaching and management roles in sports organizations.The next steps of the project include conducting research among young athletes and sports professionals, developing an educational program, and beginning the creation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The GENDERWISE project is a significant contribution to the European Union's efforts to promote gender equality in sports, providing young female athletes with the support needed to develop dual careers. The Croatian Olympic Committee is proud to be part of this initiative, which contributes to creating a more inclusive and fair sporting environment.

The Croatian Olympic Committee took part in the first TPM of the GENDERWISE project, held in Zagreb on 11–12 March and organized by the Private Economic Sports Gymnasium (PESG).

The Croatian Olympic Committee Participates in the First Meeting of the GENDERWISE Project

Workshop 1: Active Start for SOS FamiliesThe first workshop was dedicated to SOS mothers, aunts, and preschoolers. Activities began with a 30-minute workout led by Prof. Dr. Romana Caput-Jogunica, where participants engaged in tailored exercises to enhance motor skills, physical activity, and teamwork.While the youngest participants enjoyed coloring books from the Croatian Olympic Academy after the training, SOS mothers and aunts attended an educational session on healthy nutrition. Mag. Pharm. Mimi Vurdelja, HOO’s Head of Healthcare and Nutritionist, emphasized the importance of a balanced diet for both children and adults. Workshop 2: Olympic Spirit in Primary SchoolThe second workshop brought together students from SOS Children's Village and Lekenik Primary School, focusing on Olympic values and the importance of sports. Through interactive games and discussions, children learned about fair play, perseverance, and healthy habits.A demonstration training session with sports equipment followed, led by educators from the Croatian Olympic Academy. Children had the opportunity to try different sports techniques, acquire basic skills, and understand how regular physical activity can improve their health and overall well-being. Sports as a Tool for Inclusion and DevelopmentThis visit highlighted the significance of sports as a means for personal development, health, and inclusion, demonstrating how community support can positively impact both young and adult participants in challenging life situations.HOO, in collaboration with the Croatian Olympic Academy, continues its initiatives to promote sports and healthy lifestyles among children and youth. Special support for the SURE project was provided by the Regional Union of Sport Associations and Federations of Sisak-Moslavina County. For more information on the Erasmus+ SURE project, visit <a href="https://www.engso-education.eu/sure-project/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Representatives of the Croatian Olympic Committee (HOO) visited SOS Children's Village Lekenik as part of the Erasmus+ SURE project, aiming to promote sports, healthy lifestyles, and community bonding through interactive workshops.

Representatives of the Croatian Olympic Committee Visit SOS Children's Village Lekenik: Inspiring Workshops for Children and SOS Families

This two-year project (January 2024 - December 2025), carried out by the National Olympic Committees of Poland (coordinator), Croatia, Ukraine, and Greece, alongside the Polish Institute of Sports Management and the European Network for Innovation and Knowledge (EUNIK), aims to enhance leadership skills among elite athletes, coaches, and staff members of National Olympic Committees and National Federations, through a series of workshops and a mentoring program.The meeting began with a warm welcome from Voula Kozompoli OLY, Chair of the Athletes' Commission of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Partners then discussed and finalized the topics for online workshops that will be launched following the completion of the second survey, which mapped the current understanding of leadership skills. These workshops will be led by researchers from the Institute of Sports Management and local experts.So far, the National Olympic Committees of Poland and Croatia have successfully conducted their introductory workshops, with Ukraine and Greece to follow. Each participating country has selected 20 participants, totaling 80 participants in the project. After the workshops conclude in June 2025, a mentoring program will begin, with four outstanding participants chosen from each country—16 mentees in total. Under the guidance of distinguished mentors, these mentees will develop and implement impactful leadership projects.Partners again expressed their excitement and high expectations for the initiative and confirmed the agreement for the September meeting, where they will evaluate the results of the workshops and mentoring program in their respective countries.&nbsp;(hoo)

clanci-slike/radionica-liderstvo-Atena.jpg

February 18, 2025 – The Greek Olympic Committee proudly hosted the 3rd transnational project meeting of the Erasmus+ project "Olympic Committees Leadership Programme – OCLP" at its headquarters in Athens.

After the Successful Workshop in Croatia, the 3rd Transnational Meeting of the Erasmus+ Project "Olympic Committees Leadership Programme – OCLP" Held in Athens

Over the course of two days, participants engaged in a series of expert presentations, technical discussions, and collaborative workshops to set the stage for the project’s first phase. Day 1&nbsp;provided a comprehensive overview of the safeguarding landscape, covering topics such as the history of safeguarding in sport, safeguarding strategies at the European and global levels, and the prevalence of safeguarding concerns in European sport. Participants also had the opportunity to engage in a Q&amp;A session with a representative from the European Commission, gaining valuable insights and practical recommendations for successful project implementation.&nbsp;&nbsp; Day 2&nbsp;focused on practical and technical discussions, where representatives of the National Olympic Committees and International Federations shared best practices and challenges related to safeguarding in their countries. The meeting also provided a platform for partners to give feedback on deliverables currently in development and to collaborate in group sessions to begin mapping key stakeholders involved in case handling of safeguarding concerns.&nbsp;&nbsp; Throughout the meeting, interactive roundtables and open discussions allowed partner to align on priorities, ensuring a structured and effective approach to the project’s implementation. Social activities also played a key role in strengthening collaboration among consortium members, fostering an environment of trust and shared commitment.&nbsp; With this successful Kick-off Meeting, SAFE HARBOUR is now fully underway, taking its first concrete steps toward building a harmonised European safeguarding framework and empowering sport organisations to effectively prevent and respond to safeguarding concerns.&nbsp;&nbsp; To stay updated on the project’s progress follow the <a href="https://www.euoffice.eurolympic.org/safe-harbour/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SAFE HARBOUR website</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/safe-harbour-project/?trk=public_post-text" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn page.</a>

On 28-29 January 2025, the SAFE HARBOUR project officially commenced with its Kick-off Meeting in Brussels, bringing together representatives from the project’s 27 partner organisations. Coordinated by the EOC EU Office and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, this initiative aims to strengthen safeguarding response mechanism in European sport by identifying key challenges, improving policies, and fostering collaboration across borders.

SAFE HARBOUR KICK-OFF MEETING MARKS THE START OF A NEW ERA FOR SAFEGUARDING IN SPORT

The PORTAL project is an initiative focused on supporting Olympians during the challenging transition from their professional sports careers to life after sport. The project aims to develop and implement an inclusive online platform that provides comprehensive support to Olympians, particularly those facing fewer opportunities. PORTAL focuses on enhancing social inclusion and improving access to resources for Olympians who may not have won medals, are dealing with mental and physical health challenges, lack financial support, education, or employment opportunities.The project introduces innovative approaches, including mental health tools, dual career support, and life skills development. These goals will be achieved through collaboration with various sectors such as sports, education, and mental health, enhancing the impact and scope of the support offered. The use of IT tools and technology will provide flexibility and accessibility, while the combination of online and face-to-face support will offer personalized services and track the progress of participants.The project involves seven partners, including the project leader, and kicked off with the first transnational meeting held at the INSEP campus. During this meeting, participants discussed the first steps of the project, including the development of the web platform designed to support athletes. Special attention was given to the creation of forms and questionnaires that will collect data to improve the platform’s effectiveness and provide more targeted support to Olympians. Next Steps of the Project:<ul><li>Establishing contact with active and/or retired Olympians, sports experts, clubs, and national sports federations for data dissemination and collection.</li><li>Collecting information through forms and questionnaires.</li><li>Disseminating the project via social media and websites to reach a broader audience.</li></ul> Through these initiatives, the PORTAL project aims to establish a sustainable support system that will not only assist Olympians but also contribute to their social inclusion and active citizenship.

The Croatian Olympic Committee, as a partner in the PORTAL project, is working to address the complex challenges Olympians face during their transition to post-retirement life.

The Croatian Olympic Committee participated in the first transnational project meeting of the PORTAL project

The President Beniamino Quintieri and the CEO Antonella Baldino have illustrated the peculiarity of the Institute, the only public bank in Europe that provides financial support to Local Authorities, Sports Organizations, Universities, Religious Bodies, Non-Profit organisations and private companies that invest in Sports and Culture. &nbsp;The President of the Croatian Olympic Committee, who is deeply interested in the business model of the Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale S.p.A., delved into the functioning of the Bank, with the intention of proposing it as a replicable example in Croatia, to foster new investments in Sports and Culture, for the benefit of local communities and territories.&nbsp;

Photo: Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale

The “Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale S.p.A.”&nbsp; hosted this morning the President of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Zlatko Mateša, former Prime Minister of Croatia to present the bank’s activity and share the experience gained over the years in financing the Sports and Cultural sector.

The President of the Croatian Olympic Committee meets ICSC Leaders in Rome  

Project Management Sustainability PolicyThe Project Management Sustainability Policy proposal was prepared by FSI prior to the kick-off meeting, and consequently reviewed. Discussions among partners highlighted the importance of compensating for CO2 impacts, particularly for long-distance travel, through actions such as supporting local communities, non-profits, and similar initiatives. The partners provided few suggestions to refine the policy before successfully finalising it. Collection of Good Practices TemplateOPES introduced a draft template for collecting and sharing good practices. Partners were encouraged to provide feedback to refine the template, which was successfully finalized and prepared for dissemination. This initiative aims to document and share actionable strategies to benefit target groups across the project’s focus areas. Survey Cooperation ModelsOPES also presented a comprehensive overview of the survey, building on the initial discussions held during the kick-off meeting and consequent online meetings. With this research the consortium aims to strengthen the resilience of the sports movement and to foster inclusion of the most vulnerable groups to enable them to participate in sport and physical activity on an ongoing basis, even and especially in times of crisis. The survey is now finalised for public institutions and sport organisations. Interview for Target Groups100% Sport introduced the objectives and approach for conducting interviews with vulnerable target groups. The interviews aim to collect valuable insights into the needs and experiences of these groups. Importantly, these findings will serve as the foundation for the WP4 deliverable, namely the digital portraits gallery.To ensure a structured approach, the consensus was reached to feature photo + quote as the format for the gallery, combining visual storytelling with personal reflections. The interview is now translated in all the partner languages, and ready to kick-off the data collection. Next stepsOn the occasion of this last meeting of the year, NOC Croatia presented their idea of the cooperation model, as partners are expected to test the model of cooperation in years 2025 and 2026.Now that all the deliverables of the Work Package 2 are finalised, year 2025 is dedicated to the data collection using the previously mentioned research tools.The next in-person project meeting will be held in the Netherlands, with the exact date yet to be confirmed. However the partners will continue gathering for their monthly online meetings in the meantime.This progress reflects the collaborative spirit of the project and sets the stage for impactful outcomes coming in the remaining 2 years of the project.

Since the kick-off meeting in the Azores, significant progress has been made on key aspects of the SURE project, as highlighted in the partner meetings. Below is a summary of the finalized developments in 2024:

SURE Project yearly summary

The Croatian Olympic Committee, as one of the partners in the OCEAN Project, took part in a series of meetings and workshops held from December 3 to December 5, 2024, in Prague. These events brought together representatives from National Olympic Committees across Europe to review progress, share experiences, and work collaboratively on sustainable practices in sports.The first part of the meetings, held on December 3, focused on analyzing the current state and challenges faced by National Olympic Committees in implementing measures to reduce carbon emissions. Special attention was given to the development of a new tool for measuring carbon footprints, which will enable more accurate monitoring and planning of emissions related to organizing sports events. Additionally, discussions covered innovative approaches to involving athletes as sustainability ambassadors and aligning sponsorship agreements with sustainability goals.The workshops held on December 4 and 5 emphasized the development and monitoring of strategies to reduce emissions. Participants discussed best practices, potential barriers, and ways to improve communication on the importance of sustainability. The need to integrate sustainable practices into the daily operations of sports organizations was highlighted, along with a focus on transparent monitoring and regular evaluation of results.Participants also addressed the broader global context of climate change and its impact on sports. Scientific reports underlined the urgency of immediate action to reduce emissions and highlighted the opportunities presented by climate transitions for the development of sports and broader communities.The Croatian Olympic Committee is actively contributing to the goals of the OCEAN Project and proudly emphasizes its commitment to developing the tools, strategies, and education necessary to reduce the carbon footprint. Collaboration with other National Olympic Committees and the exchange of knowledge are essential foundations for achieving sustainable changes that will benefit the entire sports sector in the long term. Plans for the continuation of the project include:<ul><li>Drafting a carbon reduction strategy (December 2024 – January 2025), including sharing drafts among project partners.</li><li>Securing internal approval of the strategy within each organization (January – February 2025).</li><li>Submitting a 90% finalized strategy to project management (by March 14, 2025).</li><li>Delivering the final version of the strategy to the European Commission (by April 25, 2025).</li><li>Developing a communication and launch plan and joining the UN’s "Sports for Climate Action" framework (by April 2025).</li></ul> With this plan, the OCEAN Project continues to lead sustainable initiatives in sports, with the active involvement of the Croatian Olympic Committee in building a more sustainable future for the sports sector.

The Croatian Olympic Committee, as a partner in the OCEAN Project, is involved in developing strategies and tools for reducing the carbon footprint in sports, contributing to a more sustainable future for sports organizations.

Croatian Olympic Committee Participates in the OCEAN Project Meeting in Prague

On the first day, the final conference of the project "Sport as a Value for Our Society" was held, where project partners presented project results. The themes of the European Sport Platform were related to the impact of sport on the EU enlargement process, guidelines for respecting human rights through sport, safeguarding the mental health of young athletes and youth, and match-fixing as a connection between elite and grassroots sport.On the second day, an Executive Board meeting was held, attended by Prof. Dr. Romana Caput-Jogunica, and as a member of the ENGSO Working Group for Women in Sport, Ivana Šamija also participated in the final conference and the EU platform.In 2025, the ENGSO Assembly and EU seminar will be held from June 13 to 15, 2025, in Oslo, and the European Sport Platform will take place from October 23 to 25, 2025, in Barcelona. (hoo/rcj)

Pristina, November 23, 2024 – In cooperation with the Kosovo Olympic Committee and ENGSO (European Organisation for NGOs), the European Sport Platform 2024 was held in Pristina from November 21 to 23, 2024.

European Sport Platform (ENGSO European Sport Platform 2024) held in Kosovo

The tournament, organized by the Croatian Taekwondo Association and the Zagreb Taekwondo Association, is ranked as a G-1 event by the World Taekwondo Federation. This year's competition is under the patronage of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Croatia, His Excellency Hong Sungwook.The opening ceremony of the tournament was marked by a spectacular performance by the demonstration team from the World Taekwondo Federation headquarters (Kukkiwon – Seoul, Korea), showcasing a wide range of taekwondo techniques. The Kukkiwon demonstration team was met with a standing ovation by the packed Sutinska Vrela Hall.The sports spectacle was further enhanced by distinguished guests from taekwondo and Croatian sports. A special letter of thanks was presented to the Vice President of Kukkiwon, Kabkil Kim. At the same time the President of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Zlatko Mateša, was awarded an honorary 7th-Dan black belt. The honorary 6th-Dan black belt was also presented to the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Hong Sungwook. Additionally, Kukkiwon letters of thanks were awarded to the President of the Croatian Taekwondo Association, Anto Nobilo, and the Secretary General of the Croatian Taekwondo Association, Petar Josipović. The Director of the Olympic Program of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Damir Šegota, accepted the Kukkiwon letter of thanks on behalf of the Secretary General of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Siniša Krajač. The gathering was also addressed by the Vice President of the Croatian Taekwondo Association, Dragan Primorac.Representatives from the top of Zagreb's sports community were also present, including the President of the Sports Federation of the City of Zagreb, Vjekoslav Šafranić, and the President of the Zagreb Taekwondo Association, Danijel Bursać.In the senior competition of the tournament, two Olympic gold medalists from Tokyo will compete: our own Matea Jelić and Anastasia Zolotic from the United States, along with many other top fighters. (hta/hoo/vk)

Zagreb, November 16, 2024&nbsp;– The large international taekwondo tournament, the Korean Ambassador's Cup Croatia Open, is being held at the Sutinska Vrela Hall in Zagreb, with more than 900 competitors and officials from countries all over the world, ranging from Brazil to Korea.

Kukkiwon from Korea awards honorary 7th-Dan black belt to Croatian Olympic Committee President Zlatko Mateša and a letter of thanks to Secretary General Siniša Krajač.