The Montenegrin Olympic Committee (COK) today, in the festive setting of Villa Gorica, organized a traditional awarding ceremony for the best male and female sportsmen and national selections of Montenegro for the year 2024.
The ceremony gathered numerous prominent state officials, athletes and sports workers and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
The ceremony was opened by the president of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, Dušan Simonović, emphasizing the importance of sport for society and the future:
“This event is much more than a formal act. It is a recognition of the work, effort and sacrifice behind every success. Every success of our athletes, the result of thousands of hours of training, countless obstacles they have overcome and the will to give their best – not only for their own success, but also the desire to represent their country in the best possible way. Their sacrifices and efforts are not only a part of theirs, but also the everyday life of their coaches, families and entire support teams. Without togetherness and team work, there are no good results either”.
The president of COK particularly emphasized the importance of investing in sports infrastructure and supporting young talents:
“Our goal is to create conditions in which every young athlete will have the opportunity to develop their potential. By investing in sports infrastructure and a support system, we are building a foundation for generations to come. Sport is not only a competition, but also a platform for building a better society (…) This is not the task of one individual or one organization. This is a joint journey. The vision of sport is to not only create champions, but also build better people and stronger communities. Let’s continue to work together for a brighter future for our sport and our Montenegro.”
The President of Montenegro, Mr. Jakov Milatović, and the Minister of Sports and Youth, Mr. Dragoslav Šćekić, addressed the audience, praised the efforts of sportsmen and women in the previous year and confirmed the country’s commitment to the further development of sports.
In his speech, President Milatović addressed the Montenegrin sportsmen and women, emphasizing that they really are the best ambassadors of our country in the world: “That’s why when you go out on the battlefield or stand on the podium, draped in the colors of the Montenegrin flag, know that your fight, the medal is not only yours, but also of all those who see you as role models and who follow you with heart and pride”.
“However, while we celebrate successes and the best of the year behind us, we must not forget that every year is an opportunity for new challenges. That is why, from this place, I call on the decision-makers to continue investing in sports, in sports infrastructure, to provide even stronger support to Montenegrin sports talents, so that young people have better and more accessible conditions to develop their skills and achieve top results, bringing joy to all of us. Because, by investing in sports, we are investing in one of the foundations of a healthy and successful society.” concluded the President of Montenegro.
The Minister of Sports and Youth, Mr. Dragoslav Šćekić, emphasized the intention of the Ministry headed by him to work together with the interested sports public on the state strategy for the development of sports, as well as on the Law on Sports. “I will use this opportunity to strongly express our intention to make even greater efforts in the implementation of the plans for the construction of sports infrastructure in our country. Because Montenegrin athletes need playgrounds, fighting arenas, halls, swimming pools… we need an Olympic house, as a home for all of us who are in sports and related to sports. We need an athletics stadium and we will spare no effort to build it in due time, and we also need a sports museum in which we have something from our sports history. We can only do this with agreement and understanding. Professionals with work and good infrastructure, we can help our youth to take up sports, to make decisions more easily and to build a sports and life future at home. With the kind of harmony inherited by the two umbrella sports organizations of Montenegro, the Ministry of Sports and the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, with the professional work of our sports pedagogues, and in the conditions that we are obliged to provide.
Both Minister Šćekić and COK President Simonović emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the umbrella sports organization in Montenegro, noting that together they initiated and implemented many plans and actions.
“Plans which, I hope with the help of all relevant factors in our country, we want to put into practice, in order to provide our athletes with conditions that would enable them to turn their talent and work into results that would bring sports glory to our country”, concluded the Minister of Sports and Youth.
The biggest award of the year, the award for the best athlete of Montenegro in 2024, went to sailor Milivoj Dukić. This outstanding athlete not only achieved his fourth consecutive participation in the Olympic Games, and was the first qualified athlete at this year’s edition of the Games, and showed extraordinary dedication and sportsmanship. In Paris, Dukić achieved the best ranking of a Montenegrin sailor so far, which makes him one of the most important ambassadors of Montenegrin sports on the international stage.
“Milivoj Dukić is an example of how hard work and dedication pay off. His result in sailing, a sport that requires physical strength, mental endurance and incredible strategy, is an inspiration for all of us. Milivoj is not only our best athlete this year, but also a symbol of hope and motivation for all young athletes in Montenegro,” stated the president of COK, Dušan Simonović, after presenting the award.
Along with Dukić, other prominent sportsmen and women were awarded at the ceremony.The Montenegrin women’s handball team, popularly known as “Lavice”, was declared the best women’s national selection, while the water polo team won recognition for the best men’s national selection, thanks to continuous performances at the most prestigious world competitions.
Awards for the best young athletes were given to handball player Jelena Vukčević, who won the hearts of fans with her games in junior and senior competition, and karate player Jovana Damjanović, European junior champion and bronze medalist at the World Championship.
Water polo player Srđan Janović, for his success at the European and World Junior Championships, as well as kickboxer Viktor Dukić, who won the world title and a number of gold medals in 2024, received recognition for the best young athletes.
Boxer Tomislav Đinović, who won a bronze medal at the European Championship in Belgrade, the first senior after 24 years for Montenegrin male boxing, was awarded for the sporting feat of the year.
