ISF World School Volleyball Championship - Serbia 2024 Kicks Off with Grand Opening Ceremony

Apr. 20, Belgrade, Serbia - The highly anticipated ISF World School Volleyball Championship - Serbia 2024 commenced today with a spectacular opening ceremony that set the stage for an exhilarating tournament ahead. Athletes and officials of 27 girls’ teams and 28 boys’ teams from all five continents around the globe gathered at the venue, brimming with excitement and anticipation.

The ceremony, held at the renowned Kalemegdan, the famous fortress of Belgrade, was a dazzling display of cultural diversity and sporting excellence. With vibrant performances showcasing Serbia's rich heritage and the spirit of camaraderie that defines school sports, attendees were treated to an unforgettable experience.

Among the distinguished guests were Zoran Gajić, Minister of Sport of the Republic of Serbia, Laurent Petrynka, President of the International School Sport Federation (ISF) and Željko Tanaskovic, President of the Serbian School Sport Federation.

Zeljko Tanaskovic expressed his delight at hosting the prestigious event, stating, " Serbia is a country that cherishes sports, and I believe participants will leave with positive impressions. I extend my gratitude to Minister Gajić, Mr. Petryka, and our government for their support. Together, as a team, we aim to uphold the values of dignity in sports, always ready for new challenges. "

Laurent Petrynka commended the efforts of the Serbia School Sports Federation on delivering great opportunities for young athletes over the past decade and emphasized the significance of school sports in shaping the future generation. He remarked, " Belgrade is a wonderful city of sport, a wonderful city of history with the fortress, and this is a great chance to discover all the cultural experience."

Zoran Gajić expressed gratitude to all involved in making the championship a reality and assured participants of a memorable and fair competition. Then he announced the official opening of the event, together with Mr. Petrynka and Mr. Tanaskovic.

With the opening ceremony setting the tone for what promises to be an action-packed tournament, teams are now geared up to compete for glory on the volleyball court. Over the coming days, athletes will demonstrate their skills, resilience, and sportsmanship, embodying the true spirit of school sports.