Five-a-side Memorial Football Tournament held in Rajlovac

On the 7 November several soldiers from EUFOR joined with members of the Operational Command of the AF BiH to form a team to participate in a five-a-side memorial Football tournament. The football tournament is held in memory of the members of the Military Police Battalion of the Tactical Support Brigade, Corporal Nedeljko Radić and Private 1st Class Armin Salkić who were killed in a terrorist attack on 18 November 2015 in Rajlovac. The tournament “Let us play for Nedeljko Radić and Armin Salkić” was held at Rajlovac Barracks.

There were several teams competing, comprising of members from; MoD of BiH, Joint Staff of the AF BiH, SIPA, Municipality of Nevesinje and Vitez as well as soldiers from the Tactical Support Brigade. The match comprising of EUFOR with the Operational Command of AF BiH against the MoD BiH was the first match to be played after an official opening ceremony remembering why the tournament takes place.

EUFOR Chief of Staff, Brigadier General József Szpisják was one of the players for EUFOR and he was joined by Brigadier General Mirsad Ahmić from the Operational Command of AF BiH. The joint team rotated players from EUFOR and the Operational Command throughout the two halves. Unfortunately, the team lost the match 1 – 0 to the other side after an energetic and fast match. All the players did exceptionally well and played with determination and dignity.

Brigadier General József Szpisják said: “This type of event is very important as it not only remembers the lives of those sadly lost, but it also strengthens the relationship that EUFOR has with the AF BiH and also with the Law Enforcement Agencies of BiH. Sport is a great way of bolstering team work and leadership in an informal environment which in turn strengths professional relationships and understanding.”

(Source: eufor, written by Lt Cdr Jamie Weller)