Grand Ceremony to celebrate 100 years of Volleyball in Serbia held in Belgrade

On Monday night, the Volleyball Federation of Serbia organised a majestic ceremony in Belgrade’s Sava Centre to celebrate 100 years since the introduction of Volleyball in Serbia, in the presence of some 400 guests from the country and all over the world. The distinguished guests were addressed by Mr Djula Mešter, President of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia, Mr Zoran Gajić, Minister of Sports in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and Mr Miloš Vučević, Serbia’s Prime Minister. 

Mr Sava Grozdanović, Mr Lazar Grozdanović (posthumous), Mr Slobodan Milošević, Mr Milutin Popović, Mr Zoran Gajić, Mr Zoran Terzić and Mr Aleksandar Boričić received recognition for their life's achievements on the occasion of 100 years of Volleyball in Serbia. Former CEV President Boričić delivered a speech on behalf of all the awardees. Instead of Mr Sava Grozdanović, who addressed the audience with a video message, his son Ilija received the award, and instead of the deceased Lazar Grozdanović, his son Petar appeared on the grand stage.

Mrs Jelena Nikolić, Senior Vice-President of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia presented ‘Special awards on the occasion of 100 years of Volleyball in Serbia’ to the bronze medallists from the 1996 Olympic Games and the gold medal winners from the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Awards were received by Željko Tanasković, Rajko Jokanović, Djorđe Djurić, Veljko Petković, Vasa Mijić, Slobodan Boškan, Vladimir Batez, Igor Vušurović, Slobodan Kovač, Djula Mester, Andrija Gerić, Goran Vujević, Vladimir Grbić, Ivan Miljković, Nikola Grbić, and Zoran Gajić.

Mr Ivan Knežević, Secretary General of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia, presented ‘Special awards on the occasion of 100 years of Volleyball in Serbia’ to female volleyball players who represented Serbia at major competitions and won medals. Awards were given to Vesna Djurišić, Jelena Nikolić, Sanja Malagurski, Nataša Krsmanović, Teodora Pušić, Silvija Popović, Aleksandra Jegdić, Ana Bjelica, Tijana Malešević, Milena Rašić, Stefana Veljković, Jovana Stevanović, Brankica Mihajlović, Tijana Bošković, Maja Ognjenović and their long-time coach Zoran Terzić.

The ceremony was attended by Mr Miloš Vučević, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Mr Bratislav Gašić, Minister of Defence, Mr Darko Glišić, Minister of Public Investments, Mr Zoran Gajić, Minister of Sports, Mr Dane Basta, Regional Secretary for Sports, and Mr Mario Djuran, Assistant Minister for Sports in the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports of the Republic of Srpska.

The delegation of the Ministry of Sports included Mr Marko Kešelj, State Secretary, Mr Dejan Bojović, Special Adviser to the Minister, and Mr Jovan Knežević, Chief of the Minister's Cabinet.

The delegation of the Olympic Committee of Serbia included Mr Božidar Maljković, President of the Olympic Committee, Mr Djordje Višacki, Secretary General, Mr Žarko Zečević, Senior Vice-President, and Mr Damir Štajner, Executive Director. 

The ceremony was also attended by Mr Zoran Mićović, President of the Paralympic Committee of Serbia, Mr Davor Štefanek, President of the Sports Association of Serbia, and Mr Goran Marinković, Secretary General of the Sports Association of Serbia.

Mr Bojan Kekić, President of the Executive Board of Banka Poštanska Štedionica, the general sponsor of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia, led the delegation of Banka Poštanska Štedionica.

A number of people from the FIVB and CEV headquarters attended the event as well, including CEV Managing Director Vuk Karanovic. 

The gala was attended by representatives of the Football, Basketball, Handball, Water Polo and Athletics Federations of Serbia.

Among the guests from abroad were Mr Aris Angelopoulos from Greece and Mr Rafael Pascual from Spain.

The ceremony was attended by bronze medallists from the European Championships held in 1975 and 1979, representatives of different generations, other medallists at major competitions, club representatives, delegates of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia General Assembly, and employees of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia.