Representatives of NOC Montenegro, Deputy Secretary General Maja Peković and Technical Commission member Ivan Ječmenica, participated in the regular General Assembly of the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE), held on Friday, 8 May, in Monaco, host city of the upcoming 21st edition of the Games.
The Assembly was opened by GSSE President H.E. Yvette Lambin Berti, who introduced delegates to the agenda and presented an overview of the Committee’s activities since the previous session. Reports on the administrative, financial and sports-technical aspects of the organisation’s work were presented by Secretary General Michèle Tschou and Technical Commission President Manfred Schreiber. Discussions among delegates also addressed broader issues relevant to small sports systems, ranging from coordination of competition calendars and strengthening national team capacities, to ways in which member countries can share experiences related to preparation cycles.
A special part of the session was dedicated to the report on the 20th Games of the Small States of Europe, held last year in Andorra, as well as preparations for the next edition of the Games, which will be hosted by the Principality of Monaco in 2027.
It was confirmed that the Games in Monaco will take place from 17 to 23 May 2027, while the Heads of Mission Seminar, serving as the final coordination meeting ahead of the participation of national teams, is scheduled for April of the same year.
During the Assembly, one amendment to the sports programme was also adopted. After the Organising Committee informed delegates that, due to technical limitations, it would not be possible to organise the planned 3×3 basketball tournament within the scheduled timeframe, the Assembly decided to remove the discipline from the programme and replace it with golf.
The session was preceded by technical visits to competition venues. Delegates toured the Fontvieille sports cluster, where athletics, swimming, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, shooting, water polo and boules competitions will take place during the Games, while the second working day included visits to the remaining venues designated for sailing, tennis, rugby, volleyball and beach volleyball.
The hosts also organised a reception for participants at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, while the official dinner was attended by H.S.H. Prince Albert II.
With a tradition spanning more than four decades, the Games of the Small States of Europe today bring together athletes from nine member states of the European Olympic Committees, including Montenegro. The Games remain a unique stage where national teams from countries with populations under one million compete within a framework tailored to their capacities, while simultaneously fostering the spirit of friendship, fair play and mutual support.
NOC Montenegro continues to actively participate in the work of GSSE bodies, alongside preparations of the national team for participation at the Monaco 2027 Games.
