03/08/2018 16:12
Slovenian youngsters aware of what sport is all about
2018 CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite - Ljubljana
Ljubljana, Slovenia, August 3, 2018. Traditionally, the international Beach Volleyball event held in Ljubljana does not only focus on the senior level competition, but allows youngsters to take the spotlight as well. Last year, the CEV Youth Continental Cup and Youth National championship finals were part of the event; this year the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia kept their focus on young competitors too, thus organising their finals at an even higher level.
The first matches took place across as many as six courts at Športni park Ludus on Thursday and on Friday, future Beach Volleyball stars moved to the centre of Ljubljana, since the qualification phase for the 1-Star/Satellite tournament started today in Črnuče.
Young players Ira Kadunc and Žan Zajc together with the mascot of the Slovenian Society for Healthy Heart and referee Jernej Rojc
The competition in junior categories at this level is always tight and all players want to qualify for the medal matches, but kids are still very aware of the importance of fair play, what they confirmed while taking the athlete’s oath in the company of Mr Stanislav Pinter, the ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia for Tolerance and Fair Play.
“You need to learn that you cannot always win, but you always have to give your best on the court and off the court as well. And, of course be fair while doing it,” Ira Kadunc, who will be fighting for the bronze medal in the U16 category, said. Žan Zajc, who will try to claim the championship title in the U16 men’s competition, added: “You have to fight fair; you have to be fair towards yourself, towards the opponents and towards the referees.”
Former Slovenian Beach Volleyball star, now a coach, Simona Fabjan also participated in the fair play protocol: “It is really important to teach kids about the importance of fair play. Not just in Beach Volleyball, but also in life in general. It is important that kids learn to accept their mistakes as a part of the game.”
.jpg)
Former Slovenian Beach Volleyball star Simona Fabjan together with the mascot
The mascot of the Slovenian Society for Healthy Heart was also present in Črnuče, praising kids as they live an active life. As a result, once more the National Championship proved to be so much more than just a Beach Volleyball competition.
|