It is now increasingly likely that Banja Luka will have the opportunity to host an international handball tournament this autumn, featuring the national teams of Republika Srpska, Russia, Belarus, and Serbia.
The idea for organizing this major sports spectacle in the city on the Vrbas River came from the head of handball in Republika Srpska, Marinko Umičević. During his recent visit to Kazan for a different purpose, he proposed the organization of this tournament, proving once again that he is a tireless sports worker who approaches every task with maximum dedication. Many could and should look up to him, as there is much to learn from Marinko in industry, sports, humanitarian work, and in taking care of workers, factories, athletes, and ordinary people, including large families. Although Marinko was not in Kazan for handball, he managed to arrange many other beneficial things for our sport, which is one of the secrets of Marinko Umičević’s success in the world of sports.
From Kazan, where he was with the “Vrbas” Wheelchair Basketball Club team at the end of last month, Umičević announced that the handball tournament would be held in Banja Luka by the end of this year, which delighted local handball enthusiasts, players, and clubs. Meanwhile, his idea was supported by Ranko Tepavčević, a prominent businessman from Kazan who has lived and worked there for 15 years and who emphasized that the Russians and Belarusians have already accepted the invitation.
“We recently organized a handball match in Kazan between the national teams of Russia and Belarus. On that occasion, I spoke with the general secretaries of both federations, and they gladly accepted the invitation to participate in the tournament in Banja Luka. They also expressed their readiness to reciprocate the hospitality in Moscow or Minsk. The idea of the president of the Handball Federation of Republika Srpska, Marinko Umičević, to hold the tournament this autumn in Banja Luka is a great move,” said Tepavčević, who was the general secretary of the Organizing Committee for the FINA World Championships in Aquatics held in 2015 in Kazan.
He noted that handball is well-developed in Russia and Belarus, as well as in Republika Srpska, and that it should be further improved.
“It is true that handball is well-developed in these areas, but there is still work to be done to further improve it, and I think this is an excellent opportunity for that. I would like to see handball flourish even more and expand cooperation not only in terms of tournaments but also in the exchange of coaches and similar activities. Here in Kazan, we have one of the leading Universities of Sport and Tourism, and last year we discussed cooperation with the University of Banja Luka. We are ready to initiate that cooperation, including student exchanges and the possibility of studying and obtaining scholarships through the Russian House. We want to support coaches and athletes who would come here to further their education and use the knowledge they gain here, not only in Banja Luka but also in other cities of Republika Srpska,” Tepavčević emphasized.
He also took the opportunity to congratulate the celebrated handball player Mladen Bojinović on his appointment as an advisor to the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik.
“I think this is an excellent move by Mr. Milorad Dodik, as Mladen Bojinović is a person with a broad perspective. There is no doubt that he is ready to enhance and develop sports, and I believe he will succeed. As for handball camps, there is great potential there, and I attended a camp he organizes in Trebinje. The infrastructure there is fantastic, along with the hospitality of our people, and all of this should be absolutely promoted and utilized,” said Tepavčević, who thanked President Milorad Dodik for recently hosting a swimming delegation from Russia, which had a significant impact in this friendly country.
In an earlier statement to Banjaluka.net, Umičević announced the organization of a handball tournament featuring the national teams of Russia, Belarus, Serbia, and Republika Srpska, emphasizing that it would be a true spectacle for all handball lovers in Banja Luka. The organization of such a tournament would be a great thing for handball in Republika Srpska and for Republika Srpska in general.
“We hope to finalize all agreements very soon, and everything will become clearer soon. One thing is certain: it will take place this year,” announced the head of handball in Srpska, who is always on the side of sports, this time handball, but always on the side of his Republika Srpska, which he proudly represents wherever he has the opportunity.
Umičević, widely known as a successful businessman and the technical director of the “Bema” Shoe Factory, in addition to his engagement in the Handball Federation of RS, volunteers in ten other sports clubs or federations and provides financial and other support to more than twice as many, as he is simply a man who loves sports and genuinely wants to support athletes and their clubs. One of the largest individual donors to sports in Republika Srpska, Umičević has been donating his councilor’s allowance from the Banja Luka City Assembly for the past 12 years to sports.
All praise for KKI “Vrbas” and Umičević
Regarding the recently concluded tournament in Kazan, where the “Vrbas” Wheelchair Basketball Club, led by Marinko Umičević for more than two decades, represented Republika Srpska and Banja Luka excellently, Tepavčević, during his appearance on a Russian sports television show, praised the players of KKI “Vrbas” and their president Marinko Umičević.
He stated that the players of KKI “Vrbas” impressed him both on and off the court, while he emphasized that Umičević is a great and respected sports worker and more than a successful businessman.
This is yet another confirmation that sport is the best promotion for both Republika Srpska and the city of Banja Luka. This trophy-winning club from the banks of the Vrbas River won medals in Kazan, but more importantly, it proudly and dignifiedly represented Republika Srpska and Banja Luka in the best light, like a true family. Additionally, the players and coaching staff of KKI “Vrbas” gained new experiences, felt the excitement of competition at this level, and proved that they can compete equally with everyone. It has been proven many times that investing in this trophy-winning club is worthwhile, as every mark invested returns manifold through promotion and results.
Source: BanjaLuka.Net
