Sport, play, togetherness and European values were at the heart of the international sports and educational event “Žogarija”, held last night at the “Dragije” sports ground in Mahala. The event was organized by the Municipality of Zeta under the patronage of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia and in cooperation with the Ljubljana-based organization Media Šport. The event was organized as part of the Europe Day celebrations, with the support of the European Union Delegation through the Municipalities4EU project.
The event brought together pupils from four primary schools in the Municipality of Zeta – “Zarija Vujošević” Primary School, “Niko Maraš” Primary School, “Milan Vukotić” Primary School and “Vladika Danilo” Primary School – as well as children from the “Zvjezdani vrt” kindergarten. Through sports competitions, skill-based games, a knowledge quiz and a cultural-entertainment programme, participants promoted teamwork, solidarity and cooperation.
Opening the event, the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Montenegro, Bernarda Gradišnik, said that Europe Day had been celebrated across the country throughout May, reminding us that European values do not exist only on paper but are lived every day through openness, solidarity, cooperation and mutual understanding.“Today, we are here not only because of sport and play, but also because of togetherness, meaningful encounters and the positive energy that such moments bring,” said Gradišnik.
Acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Local Self-Government and Social Affairs, Marijana Nedović Radulović, MSc, emphasized that sport knows no borders and teaches fair play, teamwork, tolerance and mutual respect from an early age. These, she added, are precisely the values we want our youngest generations to embrace, as they represent Montenegro’s European future.
“This year, we are proudly organizing ‘Žogarija’ as part of the Europe Day celebrations, which symbolize unity, peace, solidarity and cooperation – values that form the very foundations of modern Europe. Today, through the play, laughter and sporting spirit of our children, we are putting those values into practice,” said Nedović Radulović.
The programme included a team parade, a fair-play protocol ceremony, a football tournament among primary schools, performances by schoolchildren and kindergarten children, as well as presentations by local institutions and organizations, including Skadar Lake National Park, the Zeta Tourism Organisation, the Municipality of Zeta Public Utility Company, the Centre for Social and Child Protection Services for the Municipality of Zeta, and the Zeta Red Cross.
The overall winners of this year’s Žogarija event were the pupils of “Milan Vukotić” Primary School.
Once again, Žogarija confirmed the importance of sport and education as a universal language that connects children, promotes inclusion and contributes to strengthening the European spirit within local communities.
