EU Ambassador to BiH Lars-Gunnar Wigemark visited today the Women’s Football Club “Sloga” in Petrovo Municipality in central BiH. The club gathers over 30 players from Petrovo and nearby municipalities in the wider Doboj area, from both Entities.
Sloga was established 10 years ago by its late coach Jugoslav Jokić, who led the club with the vision to connect people through sports, regardless of their ethnicity. Owing to his efforts, as well as the motivation of the players and their families, the club qualified for the Women’s Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“These young women are truly inspirational and that is the sort of inspiration this country needs to join the European Union,” Ambassador Wigemark said during his meeting with the players and parents. Many of the parents put a lot of effort to ensure they can afford taking their daughters to Petrovo twice a week for trainings and matches. Presenting them with some necessary sports gear, the Ambassador also used this opportunity to invite everyone who is able to support this team to do so.
The club is a shining example of success that can be achieved when young people from different backgrounds work together in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On this occasion, Ambassador Wigemark reminded that tolerance and social inclusion remain at the heart of the EU agenda in the country.
The European Union has invested in the development of the Municipality of Petrovo. Following the 2014 floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Petrovo was encompassed by the EU Floods Recovery Programme, which included the reconstruction of the Primary School “Vuk Karadžić”, a bridge over the Jadrina River and homes for nine families.
