As part of the #BeActive campaign and the project "EU4Youth - European Week of Sport Beyond Borders in the Western Balkans," implemented through the IPA program with financial support from the European Commission, the European Sports Week was officially opened today in Cazin. This initiative, carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Family, Youth, and Sports of the Republika Srpska, with coordination from the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, aims to promote sports and physical activity throughout the year among a broad population.

The first activity marking the European Week of Sport was organized in cooperation with the City Sports Association of Cazin and the Sports Association of the Una-Sana Canton. It supported the organization of the XVI International Small-Sided Football Tournament for children, "Children of Bosnia," which brought together over 400 boys and girls from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.

Emir Dautović, President of the City Sports Association of Cazin and the Sports Association of the Una-Sana Canton, welcomed the attendees and thanked the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina for recognizing the importance of this tournament within the #BeActive campaign. He especially expressed gratitude to the teams from Croatia, which traditionally participate and contribute to the quality of the competition. As a token of appreciation, organizers presented a suitable gift to representatives of the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The "Children of Bosnia" Tournament was officially opened by the General Secretary of the Olympic Committee of BiH, Dr. Sci. Said Fazlagić, who, on behalf of the Olympic family and the 41 sports associations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, welcomed young athletes, coaches, and organizers.

“I congratulate the organizers on the excellent hosting, and I hope we will be partners again. Sport has the power to connect generations and develop true values among young people, which is also the key message of the European Week of Sport campaign. I see that the competitors are eager, so I declare the tournament open,” said Fazlagić at the ceremonial opening held at the Salih Omerčević Sports Center.

On behalf of the Mayor of Cazin, Nermin Ogrešević, Mustafa Ružnić, Deputy Mayor, addressed the participants of the tournament, coaches, and representatives of sports associations, emphasizing the importance of this event for the city of Cazin.

“It is a great honor that the European Week of Sport is starting right here in Cazin, a city known for its wide range of sporting events. We will do everything, and this tournament shows that, to enable young people to grow into our sports ambassadors and carriers of positive social values.”

The #BeActive campaign will bring nine rich sporting events across seven cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina this year, encouraging youth and adults to compete and stay active in disciplines such as horseback riding, football, swimming, curling, and many others. The next stop is Pale, where a sports gathering focused on curling will be organized, and the main event of the European Week of Sport across Europe will be celebrated from September 23 to 30.