"The purpose of this action is children, at young age, to learn to compete, to respect the opponent, to play fair and to respect rules, since the rule in sports apply in life, too", the President the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, said today in Debar, where the sports and cultural event, "Sportsmanship", took place, adding that this project is not only educational, but also contributes to the cohesion and mutual respect among children from different backgrounds.

"Debar is a centuries-old example of coexistence and mutual respect for different religions, different ethnic groups. Therefore, through this project, we only reaffirm that tradition. Debar to be a positive example in the future, too, and children from other communities to learn something more about their friends, to do sports and through sports to learn sportsmanship, since these children are competitors, but they also sit in the stands and watch sports matches", President Ivanov said, being the patron of the project.

The Mayor of Debar, also, expressed his satisfaction with the participation in this project.
"Today our guest in Debar is the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and that gives us a great honor. The event has gathered children from seven municipalities within the Republic of Macedonia, and we are honored to spend the day together with the President of the Republic of Macedonia", the Mayor of Debar, Ruzdi Ljata, said.

Initiator of the project is the Association for Development Initiatives - Geostrategic Institute "Global", in partnership with the municipalities involved in the project – Valandovo, Kavadarci, Rosoman, Aerodrom, Debar, Centar Zupa and Tearce .

"The goal of this action is that all stakeholders feel united, starting from the children, to our ultimate authority, the President of the Republic of Macedonia. To overcome our differences on any ground and through sports, as a tool, to control it. Sports may be the answer to all negative deviations that exist in one society, only by organizing such actions and events. I am glad that we have Presidwent Ivanov as our ally", Ivan Anastasovski, President of "Global" said.

The project "Social and Ethnic Integration through Sports (Sportsmanship)" aims at promoting sports as social activity which, through play, fun and socializing among children and young people from different ethnic backgrounds, interethnic relations in the Republic of Macedonia are strengthened.

During today's visit to Debar, President Ivanov visited the factory "Knauf" for production of gypsum.