The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) supported Maglaj Municipality in organizing a sitting volleyball tournament on 19 September 2020 in Maglaj.
The aim of the tournament, which gathered sitting volleyball teams from Doboj, Derventa and Maglaj, was to strengthen co-operation between the teams and promote tolerance and mutual respect. Most of the competing athletes are veterans of the war in BiH.
Will Richard, Head of OSCE Field Office Travnik, complimented the participating teams and Maglaj Municipality for implementing measures to help ensure the safety of all of the participants.
“I am happy to see these athletes competing in the sitting volleyball tournament in Maglaj. It is a very symbolic event when you have former soldiers from opposing sides now competing against each other in a friendly sporting event. I applaud their efforts. Sport can be a powerful way to promote tolerance and mutual respect. The tournament is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the needs of people with disabilities. The global pandemic has represented a challenge for all of us, but it is especially difficult for the most vulnerable groups of society.”
