- Published: 25.02.2025.
Agreements signed with five Croatian ball sports federations: "Sport strengthens national identity, advances Croatia’s global reputation"
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman and representatives of five national sports federations—Marijan Kustić, President of the Croatian Football Federation, Nikola Rukavina, President of the Croatian Basketball Federation, Frane Žanić, President of the Croatian Volleyball Federation, Tomislav Grahovac, President of the Croatian Handball Federation, and Perica Bukić, President of the Croatian Water Polo Federation—signed a Cooperation Agreement aimed at jointly promoting Croatia’s sporting achievements, strengthening national identity, and enhancing the country’s foreign policy relations through sports.
Recognizing the value of Croatian athletes' international successes, which significantly contribute to Croatia’s global recognition, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the five largest Croatian ball sports federations have established a partnership through this agreement. The agreements define key areas of cooperation, including promoting Croatia by showcasing the success of Croatian athletes and national teams on the international stage; strengthening national identity, culture, and traditions; encouraging sports development, including creating favourable conditions for investment in Croatian sports; organizing professional conferences, exhibitions, and other events; supporting Croatian athletes and sports organizations through assistance from Croatian diplomatic missions; collaboration on EU funding opportunities and joint participation in international events.
"Croatia is a global phenomenon in sports, and these five ball sports have brought our country numerous Olympic, world, and European medals, international recognition, and great joy to our people. I am confident that through even closer cooperation, made possible by this agreement, we will further strengthen Croatia’s identity and reputation worldwide through sports. At the same time, our diplomatic efforts will support our athletes abroad, facilitate the organization of sporting events in Croatia, and encourage new investments in sports and sporting activities," said Grlić Radman.
"Sport is undoubtedly Croatia’s greatest ambassador, and with this cooperation agreement, we have laid the foundation for sports diplomacy that will benefit both our athletes and the country’s global reputation. I am pleased to see the friendship and mutual support between the federations and our athletes, which gives me great confidence in the success of this initiative—uniting sports and diplomacy for the shared interests of our athletes and our nation," said State Secretary for Sports Josip Pavić.
"You’ve probably seen the recent statistic that we are the only country in the world simultaneously holding world medals in three major team sports—football, handball, and water polo. Of course, these achievements are crucial for Croatia’s reputation, and I am glad that the Croatian Government recognizes the value of sports and athletes through this agreement. What makes me especially happy is the strong unity among different sports and federations, and this agreement is proof of that. We want to work together to promote Croatia and develop sports, which is the goal of this partnership with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and we sincerely appreciate their support," said Marijan Kustić, President of the Croatian Football Federation and Vice President of the Croatian Olympic Committee.
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Recognizing the value of Croatian athletes' international successes, which significantly contribute to Croatia’s global recognition, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the five largest Croatian ball sports federations have established a partnership through this agreement. The agreements define key areas of cooperation, including promoting Croatia by showcasing the success of Croatian athletes and national teams on the international stage; strengthening national identity, culture, and traditions; encouraging sports development, including creating favourable conditions for investment in Croatian sports; organizing professional conferences, exhibitions, and other events; supporting Croatian athletes and sports organizations through assistance from Croatian diplomatic missions; collaboration on EU funding opportunities and joint participation in international events.
"Croatia is a global phenomenon in sports, and these five ball sports have brought our country numerous Olympic, world, and European medals, international recognition, and great joy to our people. I am confident that through even closer cooperation, made possible by this agreement, we will further strengthen Croatia’s identity and reputation worldwide through sports. At the same time, our diplomatic efforts will support our athletes abroad, facilitate the organization of sporting events in Croatia, and encourage new investments in sports and sporting activities," said Grlić Radman.
"Sport is undoubtedly Croatia’s greatest ambassador, and with this cooperation agreement, we have laid the foundation for sports diplomacy that will benefit both our athletes and the country’s global reputation. I am pleased to see the friendship and mutual support between the federations and our athletes, which gives me great confidence in the success of this initiative—uniting sports and diplomacy for the shared interests of our athletes and our nation," said State Secretary for Sports Josip Pavić.
"You’ve probably seen the recent statistic that we are the only country in the world simultaneously holding world medals in three major team sports—football, handball, and water polo. Of course, these achievements are crucial for Croatia’s reputation, and I am glad that the Croatian Government recognizes the value of sports and athletes through this agreement. What makes me especially happy is the strong unity among different sports and federations, and this agreement is proof of that. We want to work together to promote Croatia and develop sports, which is the goal of this partnership with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and we sincerely appreciate their support," said Marijan Kustić, President of the Croatian Football Federation and Vice President of the Croatian Olympic Committee.