Last night in Široki Brijeg, with grandeur, energy, and team spirit, the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign were commemorated through Cheerleading Night. This event is part of the project “EU4Youth – European Week of Sport Beyond Borders in the Western Balkans,” funded by the European Commission through the IPA program, and implemented by the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Family, Youth, and Sports of Republika Srpska, in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH.

The European Week of Sport was launched in 2015 as an initiative of the European Commission to fight against physical inactivity. In its tenth year, the initiative was first promoted in Bosnia and Herzegovina through cheerleading. Under the slogan #BeActive, this initiative promotes sport and physical activity across Europe, engaging all ages, abilities, and levels of fitness. Over the past decade, the campaign has involved millions of people in more than 40 countries, emphasizing the social impact of sport and increasing visibility for small sports and local initiatives.

“The Croatian Cheerleading Club Široki Brijeg is one of the most prominent sports groups in our city, promoting sport among young people in a wonderful way, and we as a city try to support them as much as we can. I congratulate the Croatian Cheerleading Club Široki on organizing this evening and thank the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina for helping to facilitate this event and including it in this year's program for celebrating the European Week of Sport in BiH,” said the Mayor of Široki Brijeg, Ivo Pavković.

Cheerleading Night was held in the Široki Brijeg Veterans Park in front of a large audience, featuring eight clubs and more than 160 athletes, including the Bosnia and Herzegovina Cheerleading National Team. The event also had an inclusive character, in collaboration with associations “Utjeha” and “Eco Resistance,” with activities aimed at raising awareness about recycling and environmental preservation, promoting societal responsibility, and protecting the planet.

“Cheerleading Night in Široki Brijeg is a traditional event we have been holding since 2013, and it grows bigger each year. Two years ago, we were recognized as the biggest children’s event in Herzegovina, and now we are honored that the Olympic Committee of BiH has included us in the European Week of Sport. This was a wonderful experience for our athletes, and also an opportunity for the audience to get to know cheerleading as a sport,” stated the main coach of the Cheerleading Club Široki, Nikolina Čolak, in her address on behalf of the organizers.

In its jubilee year, the European Week of Sport brings nine events to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The next one will be held in Neum, where the message #BeActive will be promoted through the encouragement and affirmation of water polo.