The European Goalball Championship in Montenegro was a fantastic celebration for fans and sports enthusiasts. The event’s organization was expertly executed by NPC Montenegro under the leadership of its president Igor Tomic. I express my sincere gratitude to them all.

I was also able to hold meetings with Montenegro’s the esteemed sports leader Dragoslav Šćekić Minister of Sports and the President of the Paralympic Committee of Europe, the inspiring Raymon Blondel.

As well as seeing outstanding sport by our blind and VI athletes I had the pleasure of connecting with the leaders of NPCs from Serbia Zoran Micovic, North Macedonia Branimir Jovanovski, and Bosnia and Herzegovina Sabahudin Delalic.

However, what left the deepest impression on me was the prevailing atmosphere of friendship at the championship. It served as a unifying force, clearly demonstrating the essence of inclusivity and the driving force of sports.

Probably the most informative session was that with our coaches and athletes from the participating countries at which we addressed the numerous challenges facing goalball.

Our collective commitment is crucial to resolving issues related to refereeing, refining the classification system, improving the rules of the game, and incorporating new technologies. Streamlining the use of special equipment for athletes has to be a priority.

In essence, there is a significant amount of work ahead, and I am confident that the IBSA Goalball Committee will approach these matters with the seriousness they deserve. Most importantly, there is a shared readiness among us al to tackle these challenges collaboratively because we are one IBSA family.

Probably the highlight of the whole visit was my heartwarming meeting with children with disabilities, their teachers, and parents at the resource center in Podgorica. It was an emotional encounter with future athletes, and I am certain that among them lie future champions. Their love for life, passion for sports, and eagerness to showcase themselves to society is inspiring, and we are obliged to support them in this endeavor – this is our most crucial mission.