The Sports and Youth Fair was officially opened

Today, the Sports and Youth Fair was officially opened at the Novi Sad Fair, an event that year after year brings together all those who believe in the strength of togetherness, the value of a healthy life and the youthful energy that has become one of the symbols of modern Novi Sad. The event was opened by the Minister of Sports, Zoran Gajić, who emphasized the importance of such events for the promotion of sports, healthy lifestyles and the empowerment of young people.

- I stand here first of all to give you full support, to be a wind at your back, and to proudly brag about your results and work. What is especially important today, and rightly highlighted at this event, is EXPO 2027 - a global event of enormous importance, in the organization of which we, sports workers, must actively participate. We have to understand that this is a historic opportunity, not only for Serbia, but also for the entire region. Why? Because Serbia managed to win in the competition of some of the biggest and most influential countries in the world - the United States of America, Spain and Argentina. We won with ideas, energy and a clear vision, leaving behind topics that have already worn out in the world. We, as a small country, were given a huge chance. Now "the ball is on our side of the net", stressed Minister Gajić - and we all have to make our contribution: ideas, initiatives, energy. The active involvement of the sports sector in the preparations and implementation of EXPO 2027 is crucial. After the EXPO, sport in Serbia will not remain the same - it will be significantly improved. The construction of as many as 22 sports halls is planned, which after the exhibition will be donated to cities and smaller communities throughout Serbia, as a permanent infrastructure for the further development of sports, recreation and physical culture. At the end, he invited everyone to join and become volunteers. - That's why I invite you here, on behalf of the EXPO 2027 team, to provide 20,000 volunteers together - young, energetic people who will have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience, progress and contribute to the country during the 93 days of the exhibition.

Assistant Minister for Tourism and Youth, Ivana Antonijević, greeted all those present on behalf of the relevant Minister for Youth, Mr. Husein Memić. I will remind you that the City of Novi Sad was the European Youth Capital in 2019. Although that title was a great recognition, what was left behind is even more important - concrete results, initiated programs and policies that contributed to the improvement of the position of young people, not only in Novi Sad, but also at the national level, Antonijević emphasized. - I want to congratulate the organizers on another extremely successfully realized fair. This is the third time I have the opportunity to speak at this event, and it is always a pleasure to be part of such a quality initiative. I am convinced that the new title - European City of Sports 2026 - will contribute to the further development of both sports and youth policies. This time again, Novi Sad is proving to be one of the cities in Serbia that invests the most in youth and sports - not only declaratively, but through concrete projects and a sustainable strategy, concluded Assistant Minister of Tourism and Youth, Ivana Antonijević.

- This event, which we follow year after year, has an exceptional value, and the Provincial Government will continue to strongly support it in the future, said the Provincial Secretary for Sports and Youth, Dane Basta. - Today is especially important because of our youngest. They should come today and see the entire sports spectrum that Novi Sad has to offer - and, I hope, for the first time, genuinely love sports, if they haven't had the opportunity to train so far. Our goal remains clear - we will continue to invest in sports infrastructure and increase the budgets dedicated to sports, because this is, in essence, the most important thing for long-term development, emphasized Basta.
The fair is a place to meet, exchange experiences, learn together and motivate each other, with the message that together we build a healthier, more active and empowered society, Tatjana Medved, member of the City Council for Sports and Youth, said at the opening. - Novi Sad is today, as has been pointed out, a city of pride and strength of identity - an environment that strategically invests in health, environment, culture, youth and sports. Led by Mayor Žarko Mićin, the city works intensively and responsibly on development in all areas, carefully combining tradition and the future, with a clear vision symbolized by the motto: "Novi Sad plays for the future". Thanks to these values, Novi Sad is the proud winner of the prestigious title of European City of Sports 2026. This title is a recognition of the efforts made, but also an additional obligation to continue improving sports conditions through the cooperation of all relevant institutions - both through infrastructural investments and through support for sports teams and individuals, said Medved. - Sport in Novi Sad is not only a competitive category, but the driving force of social development - a source of energy, health and togetherness, stressed the member of the City Council, Tatjana Medved.

- I am extremely glad that today in Novi Sad we have the opportunity to together highlight the importance of sport, not only as a competition, but as a universal value that accompanies us throughout our lives. Sport is present when we are children, when we grow, learn, develop, when we win medals... Even when elders play chess - it is still sport. These are all life situations that show that sport is not only a physical activity, but a lifestyle and a way of thinking, said Danilo Jerinić, director of EXPO 2027, Sport teaches us discipline, perseverance, healthy habits and fair play. It is a means through which we promote a healthy and correct way of life, and as such it deserves the attention and support of all of us - not only institutions, but also every individual. That's why I invite you today to promote sports, healthy life and true values ​​together in 2027, as we do here in Novi Sad - at the EXPO in Belgrade. I believe that then, as well as today, our message will be strong and clear, said EXPO 2027 director Jerinić.


More than 160 participants from the world of sports, institutions and organizations that contribute daily to the development of the sports spirit in Serbia gathered at the Novi Sad fair today. The Novi Sad Fair is ready to take on an important role, said the General Director of the Novi Sad Fair, Slobodan Cvetković.

- We are proud that, as organizers, we participated in the process that led to Novi Sad winning this important title. We used part of the space that we normally use for business events and turned it into a functional sports infrastructure, which will be used for similar events in the future, said Cvetković. Sport got its rightful place - the Fair became a true temple of sports for one day, gathering numerous sports organizations, associations and visitors of all ages. What can be an addition for us as organizers for the next period is to include a little business, and that in addition to this one-day review of sports clubs, we can also talk about supplements and sports equipment, but also about receptive sports tourism, said the general director.


This year, the Sports and Youth Fair was realized in cooperation with the City Administration for Sports and Youth, the City Sports Association and the Association for School Sports of the City of Novi Sad with the support of the Provincial Secretariat for Sports and Youth and the Novi Sad Youth Forum. Today's visitors can expect dynamic sports competitions, interesting presentations by youth organizations, but also a rich accompanying program filled with quizzes, prizes and numerous surprises. It will be a day full of socializing, positive energy and new experiences. An equestrian competition is held at Manjež, and an international bicycle race was also held.

The working hours of the Sports and Youth Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Entrance to the event will not be charged.