Sarajevo, (Fena) – The second phase of the joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Block Hate. Share Love! 2.0” officially began on Thursday, August 21, with a children’s football tournament at the FK Sloga stadium in Vukosavlje, where boys and girls from five municipalities gathered to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Cheering from the stands, colorful banners with messages of friendship, and mixed teams of boys and girls on the field turned the FK Sloga stadium into a celebration of diversity and inclusion.
Young players from Vukosavlje, Modriča, Šamac, Brod, and Odžak were divided into mixed teams named Tolerance, Equality, Respect, Diversity, Solidarity, and Inclusion, showing that, both on and off the field, unity and respect always win.
The event was opened by the Mayor of Vukosavlje, Zekerijah Bahić, who welcomed the initiative in his municipality.
– I strive to make Vukosavlje a place where every child can thrive and never become a victim of hate speech. Sport has the power to unite us across all boundaries, such as gender, ethnicity, skin color, disability, and other identities – said Bahić.
The Assistant Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kemo Sarač, emphasized that respecting diversity is one of the first conditions for understanding, appreciating, and respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.
– The more we are willing to adapt ourselves in terms of respecting another person, the more we are ready for a democratic society – pointed out Sarač.
The expert advisor for European integration and international cooperation in sports at the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adis Osmanović, confirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting unity, tolerance, and mutual respect as fundamental values that define the true spirit of sports.
– Together we can protect the integrity of sports and harness its unparalleled power to enhance peace, cooperation, and national pride – said Osmanović.
According to Ajna Karić from the women’s football club Odžak 102, girls are certainly capable of playing football, and she is glad that the village of Jakeš managed to host such a gathering. (22.08.)
