The city of Novi Sad and the Republic of Serbia hosted another international tournament organized by the Badminton Association of Serbia and ’’Novi Sad’’ Badminton Club, under the patronage of Serbian Ministry of Youth and Sport, City of Novi Sad, City Museum of Novi Sad and Tourist Organisation City of Novi Sad.
The second edition of Serbian Youth International Novi Sad 2014 which took place from 13th to 15th of June saw more than 100 participants from nine countries taking part in this big international youth tournament. A perfect event management, high quality matches full of suspense and beautiful surroundings of ‘’Slana Bara’’ Sports Center were coated with brilliance displayed by Serbian Badminton progeny. In a tough competition among U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17 category, Serbia won a total of 39 medals – 10 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 16 bronze medals, presenting it with the epithet of the most successful Team of the Second Serbian Open.
Best indicator of quality and importance regarding this Tournament promoted by Dragoslav Petrovic, Serbia’s best junior competitor and Serbia’s first badminton Olympian who will represent Serbia on Youth Olympic Games taking place in August, is the fact that it is incorporated inside Badminton Europe’s Official Calendar of Events.
Opening Ceremony of the Serbian Youth International Novi Sad 2014, preceded by eliminations and matches of the group phase, has been executed in the presence of Badminton Association of Serbia numerous sponsors and friends. More than 100 participants bearing panels with inscriptions of Algeria, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia and of course Serbia, paraded through ‘’Slana Bara’’ Sports Center greeted with rounds of loud applause. After the welcoming speech the Tournament was officially opened by Radomir Jovovic, President of the Executive Board of Badminton Association of Serbia. After the end of the first day guests had the opportunity to visit City Museum of Novi Sad, just one of many cultural and social activities presented by the host.
Sparks were flying across courts of ‘’Slana Bara’’ Sports Center during Saturday’s matches. All of the competitors, from youngest to oldest, gave their best while representing this Olympic sport in it’s prime. Wishes and dreams to find themselves in a position to contend for the medals appeared to be additional motivation. In the Saturday evening the line was drawn and the names of the ‘’best among best but equal’’ formed. A large number of interesting matches, turnovers, unique moves and tricks made by the medal winners in each category. MVP title of the Tournament went to the local boys Luka Milic and Nenad Milosevic, both winning three gold medals. The European U15 Vice Champions from Basel, Milic and Milosevic, demonstrated and approved their extraordinary talent on their home courts.
Apart from triumphing in the boy's doubles for U15 and U17 category, they also managed to win gold medals in boy's singles category too. Milic was dominant among the oldest competitors overpowering the Bulgarian player Ivan Panev in the final match. He won 2:1 (21:15, 18:21, 21:12). On the other hand, Milosevic was the best in the Men’s Singles of U15 competition. In the breath taking gold medal clash he managed to defeated Tomas Rougklios from Greece (21:18, 17:21, 21:10).
After three unforgettable days in Novi Sad and 300 matches, the curtain was lowered and the Serbian Youth International Novi Sad 2014 concluded with the Closing Ceremony. Closing speech was presented by Predrag Svilar, member of the Novi Sad City Council in charge of the Youth and Sports Department.
‘’Tournament totally fulfilled the expectations of all the guests and the Organizing Committee. We are especially pleased with the fact that the event had excellent media coverage including live streaming of the finals and Medal Awarding Ceremonies. Top level competition courts and game environment, large number of participants established this event among the best organized badminton events ever in Serbia. We have pushed the limits and established new standards in event management and I truly hope that the next Serbian Open will be even better regarding quality and numbers. I take this opportunity to thank Ministry of Youth and Sports, City of Novi Sad, Olympic Committee of Serbia, sponsors and friends of Badminton Association of Serbia. Without their enormous help we wouldn’t even be in the position to organize such an event and worthily host a large number of foreign competitors from Europe and Northern Africa’’ – noted Radomir Jovovic, President of the Executive Board of Badminton Association of Serbia.
The organization of this international youth event was supported by: Olympic Committee of Serbia, Sports Association of Serbia, University Sports Federation of Serbia, Serbian Institute for Sport and Sport Medicine, Anti-Doping Agency of Serbia, ‘’Tin Sped’’ Company, ‘’Lasta’’ Transport Company, ‘’Zlatiborac’’, ‘’Yonex’’ and ‘’Nasa Koka’’ Company.
Article and photos by Radomir Jovovic.