In October, young girls under the age of 13 from across the region gathered in Niksic to participate in the WBF-funded U13 Regional Basketball Cup.
The event was action-packed, featuring not only thrilling basketball matches but also a range of side activities, including leadership and empowerment workshops designed to inspire the participants.
Following the tournament, we had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Nemanja Grabovica, one of the key organizers of the Cup, to learn more about the event’s success and impact.
– Dear Nemanja,
We meet in the aftermath of the U13 Basketball Cup in Niksic. What are your impressions of this regional organizations and what does it mean for the girls, for the teams and for the town of Niksic to host such events?
The impressions after the tournament are outstanding. First and foremost, the children carry many beautiful and positive memories, followed by the coaches and all the people who provided selfless support and assistance in organizing the tournament. Our city hosted an international tournament for the first time in this age category for girls, and we promoted our club, city, and country in the best possible way.
– How did you come up with the idea of this Cup and did it meet your expectations?
Since the club’s founding, our main goal has been to promote women’s basketball in our city, which was previously at a very low level with a minimal base. From the beginning, we aimed to continuously promote women’s basketball in every way possible. The idea emerged last year, but unfortunately, we couldn’t fully implement the project at that time. So, we patiently waited for the right moment and created a tournament to remember.
– Besides the Cup, you and your partners organized also tailor-made classes for the young girls. Can you explain more what the classes were about and how they were received by the audience?
During the workshops, the girls had the opportunity to socialize, take photos, and listen to a talk by the best Montenegrin basketball player in history, Jelena Dubljević, who is currently the President of the Basketball Federation of Montenegro. Jelena gave a lecture, sharing her career journey from the very beginning to its end, which included winning a WNBA championship ring.
Igor Ognjenović, certified personal trainer, corrective exercise specialist, certified nutrition and sports nutrition advisor and owner of the largest fitness center in our city, was the second speaker at our tournament, presenting to the children and coaches the importance of the “Three Pillars of Success” (nutrition, hydration, and sleep). We are confident that if the kids apply even a fraction of what they learned, it will have a significant impact on the development of their careers.
– Was it your first experience in dealing with regional projects? Please describe it?
Yes, this was my first experience as an organizer of a regional project, and despite the significant pressure to ensure that all participants left the tournament with positive impressions, I believe that, together with all the members of our team, we did an excellent job. During those days, we met all the goals and tasks we set for ourselves from the moment we were informed we’d secured the project.
– Did you face any challenge in organizing such a large event and bringing many minors in Niksic?
Organizing and providing all participants with the best possible conditions was demanding and challenging, from transportation, accommodation, and meals to workshops, basketball games, equipment, and awards, just because we wanted to give all participants the best possible experience. From the outset, we set high standards in these areas because we wanted everything to be flawless for every participant in the tournament. Without false modesty, I can say that we achieved all our goals and are proud of the tournament’s organization.
– Do you aim to replicate further this event in hopefully larger scale?
On the day before departure, the tournament participants (coaches and children) expressed their appreciation for the entire organization and wished us luck, hoping to return as guests next year and in the years to come for a tournament that, we hope, will continue to grow. In informal conversations, our team members have already come up with ideas on how this could and should look next year, and with your support, we hope to fulfill our ambitions.
– How important was for your organization the support of the WBF? Do you plan to apply for further funding in the future?
First and foremost, we were given a great honor and trust by the WBF, and I am confident that we did not disappoint you but made you proud. For our club, this was a tremendous opportunity to gain acceptance from major clubs in the region and to begin a significant and serious collaboration with our partners and sports friends across the region, which we hope will continue to grow.
Of course, we plan to reapply in the future, and beyond the tournament, we have additional plans and ambitions aimed at promoting women’s basketball and gender equality in basketball in our city and, we can say, in our country as well.
