The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the members of the Macedonian men’s handball team, before their participation at the World Handball Championship, which will be held in January 11 - 27 in Spain.

President Ivanov urged Macedonian handball players to believe in themselves and in their qualities, noting that the success achieved during last year’s European Championships should be an additional incentive for winning a higher rank at the upcoming Championship in Spain. Voicing support on behalf of all the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, the President wished the Macedonian team luck and success on the upcoming matches.

Where the national team is, there is Macedonia. You are idols of young generations and owing to you, many young people have chosen and will choose sports. You are our best ambassadors and, I have no doubt that you will make the world talk about Macedonia again, the President said.

Kire Lazarov, men’s handball team captain, expressing his gratitude to President Ivanov for the time, as he said, that the President always devotes for them and for the sports in general, said that they would do their best to present Macedonia to the world decently. We will fight, we will not give up and we hope that, in the end, we will all rejoice in our successes, Lazarov said.

After last year’s fifth place at the European Championship, the President of the Republic of Macedonia decorated the members of the Macedonian handball team with “Medal of Merits for Macedonia”, for the international affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia in the world with the achieved high results in handball and for the outstanding contribution for the development and popularization of this sport in our country.