Young players from Banja Luka Volley Volleyball Club were allegedly subjected to mistreatment during a tournament in Zavidovići, the Republika Srpska Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports said, strongly condemning the incident and calling on tournament organizers and competent authorities to appropriately sanction those responsible.
According to the Ministry, the young Banja Luka volleyball players were exposed to inappropriate content, stress and events that had nothing to do with volleyball or, as it stated, “common sense.”
The Ministry warned sports professionals, particularly those working with children, that sports venues are no place for “sociological experiments” or inappropriate content that could have long-term consequences for young athletes.
“We call on all competent institutions to respond to such incidents and sanction those responsible, so that no one would ever again consider playing with children or exploiting them for any kind of experiment,” the Ministry said.
It added that such a response would send a clear message that children on the sports court should be able to enjoy themselves, socialize and play volleyball rather than be subjected to any form of mistreatment.
The Ministry said it would speak with representatives of Banja Luka Volley and find a way to help the girls overcome the stress they experienced.
Source: RTRS
