The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, as patron of the Project “Social and Ethnic Integration through Sports (Sportsmanship)”, addressed today the ceremony marking the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Project Holder, the Association of Development Initiatives - Geostrategic Institute “Global” - Skopje and the mayors of the municipalities involved in the project – Valandovo, Kavadarci, Rosoman, Aerodrom, Debar, Centar Zupa and Tearce.

The Project “Social and Ethnic Integration through Sports (Sportsmanship)” aims to promote sport as a social activity through which, through play, fun and socializing, children and young people from different ethnic backgrounds strengthen the interethnic relations in the Republic of Macedonia.

“Sport, as rare any other social activity, helps us promote the ideas of peace, tolerance, justice, non-violence and solidarity. Sport is increasingly a clear factor in promoting intercultural relations, and factor which, within the European sports policy, reinforces social stability”, President Ivanov said.

The Macedonian President noted that the project is a kind of continuation of last year’s project “Sport as Factor of Tolerance, Unity and Respect”, which, under his auspices, covered six municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia.

“I have said this many times and I will repeat that teamwork is best learned, built and upgraded during the youngest age, through sports. Our team comprised of thousands of students from Tetovo, Prilep, Center, Staro Nagorichane, Vrapciste, Suto Orizari, is now strengthened by thousands of their peers from Aerodrom, Valandovo, Debar, Kavadarci, Rosoman Tearce and Centar Zupa. However, we will not stop there. Our team is called the Republic of Macedonia with all its citizens, with all its communities, regardless of their ethnic, religious or any other affiliation, regardless of sex and age”, President Ivanov said.

In his speech, President Ivanov referred to last night’s events at the National Arena “Philip II of Macedonia” that led to suspension of the football match between the teams of “Tetex” and “Skendija” and urged for immediate institutional action.

“Time has come to stand firmly against such phenomena and to penalize most rigorously those who have nothing to do with sports and use sports games to boost intolerance and hatred. All this requires urgent institutional action, which will encompass all layers of our society. We have to reaffirm true values of sports game, especially among young people as future key players in sports fields, both as participants and fans. I believe that this project will contribute to the promotion of real moral norms in sports. Norms which imply correct attitude towards the opponent and the audience, recognition of fault or penalty, correct attitude towards referees, i.e., building an overall correct conduct – Sportsmanship”, President Ivanov said.

The project is also supported by the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Paul Wohlers.

“President Ivanov is a tireless champion for young people in Macedonia. His support for activities like this sends an important message to all citizens of Macedonia that there are many other things that unite rather than separate. That understanding and tolerance derive from something as simple and universal as sports, Ambassador Wohlers said.

Ivan Anastasovski from the Geostrategic Institute “Global” said that the practical actions as part of this project will take place at the Faculty of Physical Education and the State University in Tetovo.

“The goal of this Project is social and ethnic integration of young people through sports in the Republic of Macedonia and is entitled “Sportsmanship”, Anastasovski said.

On behalf of the local governments involved in the Project, the mayor of Kavardaraci and the mayor of Debar, Aleksander Panov and Rushdie Lata, addressed the present.