Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Michael Davenport, together with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Vanja Udovicic, and the president of the Serbian School Sports Federation, Zeljko Tanaskovic, attended the ceremonial opening of the Tenth Olympic Sports Games for the Serbian Pupils. The European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the European PROGRES Programme and the Programme campaign “Europe, That is You” supported the jubilean School Olympics in order to promote and encourage the engagement of youth, team work and togetherness.
“The School Olympics completely represents our best common values. The best young sportsmen and sportswomen have gathered here together with the hard-working volunteers without whom this event would not be possible. There are pupil reporters here who will try to spread the word about sport success. Here we have the audience supporting our victories that are no less important than victories we are about to watch in Rio this summer”, said the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Michael Davenport at the opening ceremony.
“This event represents Europe and the world and I am proud of you all because you invested a lot of effort in order to reach Vranje. Europe, that really is you and I wish every one of you individually to win at this competition and in the future as well”, said Mr. Davenport to the youth from across the country.
The School Olympics in Vranje that gathered 700 pupils from primary and secondary schools, 500 teachers and 270 referees is so far the most numerous one and the competitions are taking place in 12 sports halls and four open courts.
Minister of Youth and Sports in the Government of Serbia, Vanja Udovicic, said that all participants at the Olympics were already true winners. “Through sports one learns how to win but to lose as well, and how to respect one’s rivals” noted Minister Udovicic.
Zeljko Tanaskovic, president of the Serbian School Sports Federation, made a wish to all young sportspersons for the jubilean School Olympics to be marked by the Olympic spirit and fair play.
During the day the Head of the EU Delegation, Michael Davenport, also visited sport competitions in Vranje and talked to the volunteers in primary school “Vuk Karadzic”.
“We had a close cooperation with the City of Vranje for years back through the European PROGRES. That is why we are especially pleased that Vranje hosted the biggest sport event in Serbia this year”, said Ambassador Davenport. He also emphasized the important role of volunteers within the organization and said: “You, the volunteers, are the real ambassadors of the City of Vranje. Thank you for the effort you invested in organizing this event”.
Mr. Davenport underlined that numerous projects funded by the European Union together with the Swiss Government are being implemented in the South East and South West of Serbia through the European PROGRES in order to stimulate competitiveness, attract investment, develop infrastructure and improve social inclusion.
Ambassador Michael Davenport visited music school “Stevan Mokranjac” in which the El Sistema project is implemented with the support of the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the European PROGRES programme.
Music school “Stevan Mokranjac” and the Roma cultural centre from Vranjska Banja joined the implementation of this social and inclusive music project in Vranje in order to include the children from vulnerable groups, especially from Roma population, in the school system through group teaching in the choir and brass orchestra. Sixty children are jointly developing their music talents but also accountability and team spirit.
“It is a great pleasure to see how children and youth in Vranje have the opportunity to develop their music talents through team work and how minority groups are also involved in this project. In this way, the children are acquiring experience that goes beyond music boundaries – happy and hardworking citizens are created while self-confidence, tolerance, creativity and respect for diversity are part of the European values that children and youth acquire through the El Sistema project” said Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Michael Davenport on his visit.
Project manager, Marijana Milosevic Simic, said that through that form of teaching everyone regardless of age and origin can learn how to play by creating the atmosphere of togetherness through playing music in a group. She also used the opportunity to invite everyone to a big concert organized by El Sistema in the Army Club in Vranje on 15th of May.
On the second day of his visit, on 11th of May, Ambassador Davenport visited kindergarten “Neven” that is part of the preschool institution “Our child” where he handed sports equipment for 125 children from ten village groups on the City of Vranje territory.
“In this way, the European Union supports the youngest ones in creating all necessary conditions for them to develop their psychomotor skills and have a healthy upbringing”, said Mr. Davenport.
