BALKAN ATHLETICS CONGRESS HELD IN SOFIA

20 November 2024

The Balkan Athletics Congress took place in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, gathering representatives from 16 member federations of Balkan Athletics. This important annual event provided an opportunity to address current issues, make strategic decisions, and guide the direction of Balkan Athletics toward new goals.

The congress was opened by Slobodan Branković, the President of Balkan Athletics, who warmly welcomed and thanked all the delegates in attendance. Branković expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts.

Following Branković, Dobromir Karamarinov, the President of European Athletics, addressed the attendees, conveying support and emphasizing the importance of continental cooperation among athletic federations. Karamarinov noted that the efforts of Balkan Athletics are recognized at the European level and praised the activities and projects accomplished in the past year.

After the opening speeches, the congress agenda, which included key points for review and discussion, was adopted. President Branković took the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the current year, emphasizing successes in organizing competitions and the accomplishments of athletes from the Balkan region. He also presented proposals for statutory changes which, in his view, are crucial for enhancing the federation’s operations. The proposals received unanimous support from the delegates and were adopted without objections, setting a new framework for the future development of Balkan Athletics.

The General Secretary of Balkan Athletics, Predrag Momirović, presented the annual report on all competitions held over the past year, highlighting record participant numbers and high organizational quality. In addition, Momirović shared the proposed calendar for 2025, which includes a series of international and regional competitions.

Tonight, in a formal setting, plaques will be awarded to the best athletes in the Balkans in recognition of their outstanding achievements throughout the year. This traditional award symbolizes not only the success of the athletes but also the unity and spirit of the Balkan region in promoting athletics at the highest level.