The “Goran Krsmanović 2025” memorial wheelchair basketball tournament will take place on Saturday, April 26, at the “Obilićevo” sports hall in Banja Luka. The tournament, organized for the thirteenth time by the wheelchair basketball club KKI Vrbas, is held annually in honor of April 22—Banja Luka City Day—and in memory of Goran Krsmanović, the club’s first captain and former Assembly president, who passed away prematurely.
This year’s edition will host teams from Russia and Serbia, alongside the home team. Competing are:
- KKI Vrbas (Banja Luka, BiH)
- Krila Barse (Kazan, Russia)
- Mega Despot (Belgrade, Serbia)
“We’ve done everything to warmly welcome our sports friends from Russia and Serbia. Krila Barsa visited us almost two years ago, and during that visit, we signed a twinning charter. This time, we’ll do the same with Mega Despot,” said Marinko Umičević, President of KKI Vrbas.
“It’s going to be a day full of competition and genuine camaraderie. After the tournament, we’ll all watch the ABA League game between Igokea and Dubaji in Laktaši,” Umičević added.
The hosts expect a strong turnout, including dignitaries.
“We’ve invited the Russian Embassy and hope to host an esteemed guest from there. We also sent a letter to the Cabinet of the President of Republika Srpska, which has always supported us—especially President Milorad Dodik. A letter was sent to the City Administration as well, but we’ve neither received confirmation of attendance nor financial support for organizing the tournament,” Umičević pointed out.
Tournament Schedule – Saturday, April 26:
- 10:30 – KKI Vrbas vs. Krila Barse
- 11:45 – Official Opening Ceremony, with a performance by members of ANIP “Veselin Masleša”
- 12:30 – KKI Vrbas vs. Mega Despot
- 14:15 – Krila Barse vs. Mega Despot
After the final match, awards will be presented to the top performers of the 13th “Goran Krsmanović 2025” Memorial.
To conclude their visit, the Russian guests and their hosts, led by Marinko Umičević, will visit Gominioca Monastery on Monday, April 28.
Source: RTRS
