Coordinating body for Slovenian minority sport organisations formed
Ljubljana, 4 December - Sport organisations of Slovenian minorities in neighbouring countries have come under under one roof as a coordinating body has been established in a bid to forge closer ties between them and connect them with similar organisations in Slovenia.
The founding document of the body, ZAŠKO, was signed in Ljubljana on Wednesday at a ceremony featuring Economy, Tourism and Sport Minister Matjaž Han, Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon and the president of the Slovenian Olympic Committee, Franjo Bobinac.
Representatives of the sport organisations that constitute the new coordinating body said on the occasion that this is of exceptional importance for Slovenia, as the body connects the broader ethnic Slovenian space.
Sport, along with language, culture and business, is one of the spearheads of community development, they added.
They noted that ZAŠKO has been established to improve the connections, networking, cooperation, and exchange of information, knowledge and good practices between the sport organisations.
Its members will promote mutual cooperation of the Slovenian minority sport organisations all four neighbouring countries - Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy - in terms of organisation and staff.
Modelled after similar bodies that coordinate the work of Slovenian farmers and entrepreneurs in neighbouring countries, ZAŠKO will also maintain close ties with sport institutions in Slovenia, and seek connections in Europe.