The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, attended today the sports cultural event "Traditional Sports Games - Sports Bon-Ton" in Veles, marking the beginning of the project which is to be implemented in the following several months.

The project aims to promote Sports Bon-Ton as a model of integration of children of school age in the system of sporting, socializing, playing and learning of the different traditions, cultures and customs. The project "Traditional Sports Games - Sports Bon-Ton" under the patronage of President Ivanov will be implemented through sporting and cultural events in six municipalities.

"The aim is clear, children to learn to do sports, to get to know each other, to make friends, to communicate, to respect and be respected, to appreciate the diversity that exists in our country. Through traditional games, children actually learn the values we and our parents have had, which were present in our ordinary lives, and today, because of the modern lifestyle, are forgotten," President Ivanov said.

The US Embassy supports, for the third time, the project "Traditional Sports Games - Sports Bon-Ton", which includes, besides Veles, the municipalities of Ohrid, Karpos, Mavrovo-Rostushe, Sveti Nikole and Novo Selo.

"This will be exciting period for all participants, the sport will bring children together. I wish them all much fun and success," the US Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Paul Wohlers, said.

"This is an honor and pleasure for us, the adults, to remember what used to be part of our childhood, our games, the way we entertained and recreated ourselves," the Mayor of Veles, Mr. Slavco Chadiev, said.

In 2013, the project "Social and Ethnic Integration through Sports - Sports Bon-Ton" was implemented in Valandovo, Kavadarci, Rosoman Aerodrom, Debar, Centar Zupa and Tearce, while in 2012 the project "Sport as Factor of Tolerance, Unity and Respect" was conducted in the municipalities of Tetovo, Prilep, Center, Staro Nagorichane, Suto Orizari and Vrapciste.