ELEK: SARA ĆIRKOVIĆ GETTING LAND PLOT ON JAHORINA

JAHORINA, MAY 26 /SRNA/ – Nedeljko Elek, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Jahorina Olympic Centre, announced today that world and European boxing champion Sara Ćirković will get a land plot on Jahorina as a token of gratitude for her sporting achievements and promotion of Republika Srpska, at his initiative and that of Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić.

"It is a pleasure for Jahorina to host world and European champion Sara, and an even greater one that she comes from Zvornik, Republika Srpska. I think every athlete from Republika Srpska should look up to her," Elek said at a press conference during the stay of Serbia's senior women's boxing national team on Jahorina, where they are preparing for upcoming competitions.

He also thanked the Serb boxer’s coach, noting that the Jahorina Olympic Centre has cooperated for years with boxing national teams and sports federations.

Elek recalled that other elite national teams had also trained on Jahorina, including Serbia's water polo team, which achieved major successes after training there.

"The boxers have been coming here for ten years, and we can say that our small contribution helped Sara become what she is today," Elek said.

He stressed that he does not want everything to remain only words, but that gratitude toward top athletes should be shown through concrete actions.

"Just as the Jahorina Olympic Centre and the Government of Republika Srpska gifted a plot of land on this mountain to Novak Đoković, I believe Sara Ćirković deserves the same. On Tuesday, I will bring this decision before the Supervisory Board and forward it to the Government of Republika Srpska," Elek said.

He added that Sara Ćirković would have "her own piece of paradise" on Jahorina, where she could rest and spend time between competitions and training camps.

Serbian boxer Sara Ćirković thanked supporters for their backing and stated that Serbia’s national team enjoys excellent training and working conditions on Jahorina.

"Thank you all for supporting us, following us, and celebrating our successes. We are currently on Jahorina preparing with the national team, and I must admit we feel very comfortable here. The atmosphere is focused on work, and I always feel at home here," Ćirković said.

She recalled that the team had also stayed on Jahorina in previous years and emphasized that training conditions have always been of a high standard.

"We always have everything we need and everything is provided for us, so we owe great gratitude to our hosts," she said.

Speaking about upcoming commitments, she noted that her fourth professional bout is scheduled for June 19 in Belgrade and invited everyone who can attend to come, cheer, and support them.

Mirko Ždralo, coach and head coach of Serbia's women's boxing national team, said today on Jahorina that it is always an honour for the team to stay in Republika Srpska, where they feel strong support from the people.

He stressed that it has become a tradition for the team to prepare for major competitions at the Jahorina Olympic Centre.

Ždralo recalled that Sara Ćirković is the reigning European champion, a participant in the Paris Olympic Games, and a two-time world champion, assessing that she is one of Serbia’s strongest prospects for winning a medal at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

He thanked the Jahorina Olympic Centre ans Nedeljko Elek for their hospitality and announced that Serbia's senior men's national boxing team will also come to Jahorina for preparations at the end of June.

The Serbian senior women's boxing national team on Jahorina was also visited by Staša Košarac, Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers of BiH.