In times that are anything but bright and cheerful, a group of enthusiasts decided to establish Water Polo Club Prijedor—a collective built on friendship, a desire for quality free time, and a mission to pave the way for future generations.
Water polo was played at a serious level in Prijedor during the 1960s and 1970s, but like many other aspects of life, it faded away during the turbulent 1990s.
However, a group of men who grew up by the Sana River have, over the past two years, revived the idea through dedicated work and steady expansion. Recently, they reached the point of officially founding the club.
“It all started in a café by the Sana where we gather. We listened to stories from older fellow citizens about how water polo used to be played at a respectable level in the former state, and we decided to try. We are all former athletes, many played water polo during their studies, and we spend the whole summer at the riverside. Initially, we played at the City Pool, then restored the field on the Sana, played recreationally, and even trained in Banja Luka during the winter. Founding the club was a logical step, as we have a group of 25 men who are accomplished in their private lives. Among us are doctors, master’s degree holders, engineers, professors… Most of us are family people, and we aim to leave something as a legacy for the generations to come,” said club president Vladimir Trifunović.
The idea was welcomed by local residents as well as the local authorities, and the youngest sports collective in the city will soon have a professional outdoor field along with the necessary equipment.
“Equipment is expensive, and the field costs around 12,000 KM, but with the support of the City Administration, we managed to purchase it. It will arrive soon and be installed, and depending on weather conditions, the plan is for the water polo school to begin operating on June 1. That is our main goal—to build a system in the coming years and provide young people with what we did not have,” Trifunović added.
The water polo community in Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina is not large, but the Prijedor team maintains good relations with all clubs.
“We regularly play sparring matches in Banja Luka. Until the club establishes a solid structure, we will not apply for membership in the Water Polo Association of Republika Srpska, but we have a healthy foundation and good cooperation with colleagues from the region. We want to build a strong club with a focus on youth development, while we ‘older guys’ enjoy recreation and socializing for as long as possible,” Trifunović concluded.
Source: Glas Srpske
.jpg?v1692000538 "Tadić: Bosniak politicians will not abolish Republika Srpska")