The new season of the m:tel First League of Republika Srpska for both women’s and men’s handball, as well as the unified m:tel Second League, will begin on September 26.
The decision was adopted unanimously at a meeting of the Management Board of the Republika Srpska Handball Federation held at the Federation’s headquarters in Banja Luka.
Starting this season, the men’s competition will feature two First League divisions with a total of 13 clubs after RK Prijedor withdrew from the competition.
“Today we received a letter informing us that RK Prijedor is unable to enter the competition due to a shortage of players. As a result, we moved Sloga from Prnjavor from the East group to the West group. The West will therefore have seven clubs and the East six. What is important to emphasize is that this decision, like all the others, was adopted unanimously,” said Marinko Umičević, President of the Republika Srpska Handball Federation.
The Second League will be played as a unified competition featuring nine clubs after Igman and Hercegovac previously withdrew. The two clubs had been scheduled to compete in the eastern division, which initially had four registered teams.
Following the withdrawal of the teams from East Ilidža and Bileća, ORK Perihel and Lokomotiva, both from Brčko, were the only clubs remaining in the East and will now join the unified Second League competition.
Due to these changes, the Management Board also decided to reduce competition fees for clubs participating in the m:tel Women’s First League and the Second League. Instead of the previously planned KM 1,000, clubs will pay KM 500 for the current season.
The lists of referees and delegates for both the Bosnia and Herzegovina Premier League and competitions organized by the Republika Srpska Handball Federation were also unanimously adopted.
“We also discussed the current situation in Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. That federation has hit rock bottom and simply does not function, while the mandates of its previous leadership expired a long time ago,” Umičević said.
“One thing is certain: three months ago, we held our election assembly, where, among other things, we appointed our representatives. We are responsible people, we operate in accordance with the law and the Statute, and we will continue to do so,” he added.
A mandatory seminar for coaches will be held in Banja Luka on September 13.
Source: RTRS
