Municipality of Novi Grad, in cooperation with the Boxing Club Novi Grad from Sarajevo, organized a commemoration for the recently deceased boxer Muhammad Ali.
In this way, Sarajevo paid tribute to one of the greatest athletes of all times. Speeches at the memorial service were held by Vehid Gunić, author of the book about Muhammad Ali and the only BiH journalist who interviewed Ali.
Sportscaster Kemal Baluković also gave his comment on the life and work of Muhammad Ali. Introductory speech was held by the former boxer Almedin Fetahović, winner of the first golden medal for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993 at the Mediterranean Games in France.
In 1999, the International Olympic Committee declared Ali the greatest athlete of 20th century. In 1960, Ali was the Olympic winner from Rome and triple world champion in heavy category.
In addition to success in boxing, Muhammad Ali will be remembered as human right advocate for which he renounced money, fame and titles. Although he was exposed to prohibitions and media persecution by authorities, eventually he showed and proved that fight for dignity and freedom or a man is not in vain, which was officially confirmed by the awarding of the renowned “Presidential Medal of Freedom” to Ali in 2005.
During the war in BiH, through his activities in the fight for human rights Ali often pointed to the problem of the suffering of civilians, highlighting the urgency for termination of war conflicts.
During commemoration in the Municipality of Novi Grad, inserts from his fights were screened.
(Source: klix.ba/photo: fenjer.ba)
