EU4Sport is a new project of the European Union that will restore and modernize sports halls in 17 elementary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as those of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education in Sarajevo. The project, worth 2.1 million euros, will provide for better working conditions in elementary schools in Sarajevo, Ustikolina, Voljevac, Stranjani, Visoko, Donji Hotonj, Kupres, Tešnje, Rogatica, Blatnica, Strojice and East Sarajevo.
EU4Sport is a new project of the European Union that will restore and modernize sports halls in 17 elementary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as those of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education in Sarajevo. The project, worth 2.1 million euros, will provide for better working conditions in elementary schools in Sarajevo, Ustikolina, Voljevac, Stranjani, Visoko, Donji Hotonj, Kupres, Tešnje, Rogatica, Blatnica, Strojice and East Sarajevo.
Today, in the premises of the EU Office in BiH in Sarajevo, the start of the EU4Sport project was officially marked at a coordination meeting attended by representatives of the European Union in BiH, representatives of all 18 educational institutions benefiting from the project, as well as representatives of the Sports Sector of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH and of the relevant entity ministries.
Stefano Ellero, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that, with this support, he hopes that sports halls in educational institutions included in the project will have much better working conditions. “Our goal is to provide optimal conditions for physical education in schools and conditions for recreational activities. We wish to invest not only in the development of motor skills and knowledge of sports, but in building personalities and peer relationships, thus directing the energy of young people in a socially useful direction,” said Ellero.
In the preparatory phase of the project, successful cooperation and coordination of activities was established between the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and relevant ministries in FBiH and RS, making it possible to finalise all the necessary conditions for the start of the project. The project partners pointed out that supporting dialogue between decision-makers and sports associations is crucial in the promotion of healthy living and social cohesion of young people throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Jasmina Omerbašić, Director of the Elementary School “Ustikolina” pointed out that she is very grateful for participation in this project since it will contribute to the maintenance of physical and health education classes in conditions worthy of a proper educational system.
“In the school where I am currently the Director, I learned my first letters and worked as a teacher for more than 20 years. Every physical and health education class was held in a hall that was ineffective for holding classes, and it is still the same now. The first project I wrote when I became Director was addressed to the European Union. I am extremely pleased and happy that we are here today and that we have been approved for this project,” said Omerbašić, adding that physical and health education classes are very important for the development of every child.
“The ravages of time contributed to the need for complete renovation of the hall for the 770 students who attend our school every day. This renovation will contribute to improved quality and quantity of the numerous sports and cultural events that take place in this hall,” said Milomir Draganić, director of the Elementary School “Sveti Sava” from Rogatica, adding that there have been no significant investments since the establishment of the school.
The schools involved in this project phase are: Center for Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation Sarajevo, Elementary School “Ustikolina”, Elementary School “Nafija Sarajlić” Sarajevo, Elementary School “Voljevac”, Elementary School “Ahmed Muradbegović” Strajani, Elementary School “Safvet-beg Bašagić” Visoko, Elementary School “Izet Šabić” Donji Hotonj, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of the University of Sarajevo, Elementary School “ Avdo Smailović” Sarajevo, Elementary School “Osman Nakaš” Sarajevo, Elementary School “Fra Miroslava Džaje” Kupres, Elementary School “Kulin Ban” Tešanjka, Elementary School “Sveti Sava” Rogatica, Elementary School “Dositej Obradović” Blatnica, Elementary School “Rade Marijanac” Strojice, Elementary School “Osman Nuri Hadžić” Sarajevo, Elementary School “Grbavica II” Sarajevo, Elementary School “Sveti Sava” Istočno Novo Sarajevo.
EU4Sport is one of numerous projects of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which aims to strengthen the quality of education as one of the key elements of the country’s development.
