This article is part of the special feature “20 Years of Montenegrin Sport”. The full publication is available at the link.
Twenty years is not a long period in the history of a nation, but it is enough time to write chapters that will remain for generations to come. When I think about Montenegrin sport over these past 20 years, I first think of the people – the athletes, coaches, support teams and everyone whose hard work, sacrifice and belief have shown just how great a small country can be.
Representing your country is a special honour. Wearing a jersey bearing the national coat of arms carries responsibility, but also an emotion that is difficult to put into words. Every appearance for Montenegro brings a sense of belonging, pride and the desire to give more than your very best. Those are precisely the values that have defined the journey of our sport since the restoration of independence.
Over these twenty years, there remains a sense of regret that the Montenegro women’s volleyball team never qualified for a major international competition. At the same time, however, we have witnessed remarkable achievements by many of our other national teams, inspiring the entire country. Those were moments of shared joy, pride and belief that great results can be achieved regardless of the size of the country we come from. Our athletes have shown that dedication, discipline and a genuine love for what they do are always recognised and rewarded.
For me, the greatest value of Montenegrin sport lies not only in medals and results, but also in the example it sets for future generations. Sport teaches us respect, perseverance, teamwork and responsibility. Through these values, we build not only successful athletes, but also a better society.
I am proud to have been part of that story. I am proud to have worn the captain’s armband of our national team for 17 years, always with pride and that special spark in my eyes. From the very first day of the team’s existence until my retirement from international volleyball, wearing our national emblem over my heart was an immense honour.
I believe that the finest chapters of Montenegrin sport are still ahead of us and that new generations will continue to push boundaries, carrying with them the same pride, the same love for their homeland and the same dream – to represent Montenegro on the world’s greatest sporting stage.
Happy 20th anniversary of Montenegro’s independence and of two decades of sporting achievements that unite us all and make us proud.
