European Athletics (EAA) – News – Balkan Athletics takes positive steps forward

Balkan Athletics has been making strong strides forward recently with a new sponsorship contract, a succesful Athlete of the Year award gala and a recent reception by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic of European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz.

The Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank (CCB) is the new General Sponsor of the Association of the Balkan Athletic Federations (ABAF). Tsvetan Vasilev, Chairman of the CCB Supervisory Board, and ABAF President Dobromir Karamarinov signed a five-year sponsorship contract for the amount of 1 million euros in Belgrade a few hours before the recent Balkan Awards Gala.

The second Balkan Athletics Gala organised by Serbian Athletic Federation and ABAF was held in the city of Arandjelovac on 29 November.

European Athletics President Wirz, as previously reported here, and delegates of all 12 Balkan Member Federations were present in Serbia for the celebrations of a very successful year in Balkan athletics.

Turkish middle distance runner Asli Cakir Alptekin and Serbian shot putter Asmir Kolasinac were declared Balkan Athletes of the Year for 2012. Asli Cakir Alptekin is the Olympic champion in 1500m and European champion in the same discipline. Asmir Kolasinac won a bronze medal at the European Athletics Championships in Helsinki and was 7th at the London Olympic Games.

Gamze Bulut (TUR), silver medallist from the London Olympic Games and the European Athletics Championships in Helsinki at 1500m, and Emir Bekric (SRB), silver medallist from the European Athletics Championships and semi-finalist at the Olympic Games in 400m hurdles, were awarded Balkan Rising Stars of the Year for 2012.

In his message at the Awards Gala, President Karamarinov summarised the main activities organised by ABAF Member Federations throughout the year. A number of world and European events along with 9 Balkan championships and a wide range of international competitions, corporate and social initiatives took place in the region. Nine Balkan championships are already confirmed for 2013, as well as international matches with other areas and educational activities.

The morning after the gala, President Wirz and the ABAF board were received by the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic. President Nikolic underlined the essential importance of the ABAF in ensuring better cooperation in athletics throughout the Balkans and its contribution to the development of athletics in the region.

President Karamaninov said, “These few days in Arandjelovac and Belgrade were very successful for the ABAF. Our activities were highly appreciated by European Athletics. The best Balkan athletes of the year were awarded and received the recognition they deserve for their hard work.

"I am satisfied with the General Sponsor we have now. The personal attendance of Tsvetan Vasilev of Corporate Commercial Bank was a very positive sign to the Balkan delegates for the Gala. In the last day of our visit we were given the high honour to be accepted by the President of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic; it goes to show the greater importance of our Association for the sport and social life in the region."

The third Balkan Athletics Gala is to take place next year in Yerevan, Armenia. More information on ABAF activities can be found here.