President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova declared the 27th World High School Handball Championship open this evening at Square “Macedonia” in Skopje, in which around 700 young handball players from 20 countries are participating.
In her address, Siljanovska-Davkova recalled the Macedonian handball successes, including the historic performance of the Macedonian national team at the European Championship in 2012, as well as the European titles of HC “Vardar” in 2017 and 2019 and the successes of WHC “Kometal Gjorce Petrov”.
“For us, handball is not only a sports discipline, but also a part of the national identity, a source of pride, a field where we have been presenting ourselves with dignity for years. Generations of athletes have emerged who have become examples of discipline, responsibility and teamwork, and it is precisely these virtues that have a broader value, because they are equally needed off the field, in society and in everyday life”, Siljanovska-Davkova said, adding that for her, handball is more than a game, a philosophy of life in which discipline and passion, reason and courage, personal effort and collective spirit come together.
In young handball players, she sees not only representatives of their schools, cities and countries, but also knights in sports who win honestly, endure defeat with dignity and always respect their opponents.
Declaring the 27th World High School Handball Championship as open, the President recalled that Skopje is a city with a long history, culture and cosmopolitan energy and the upcoming ‘European Capital of Culture” in 2028, and that she will welcome them sincerely and warmly, as befits a good host.
Below is the integral speech of President Siljanovska-Davkova.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with special pleasure that I greet you this evening, here at the “Macedonia” Square, where we will mark the beginning of the 27th World High School Handball Championship.
There is no more appropriate place to open such an event than the space that has repeatedly pulsed to the rhythm of handball, remembering great victories, frenetic celebrations and moments in which sport managed to unite citizens.
Let me remind you that in 2012, not far from the “Macedonia” Gate, we welcomed the Macedonian national team led by captain Kire Lazarov, after its outstanding performance at the European Championship, where it won the high fifth place. That success was not a random flash, but a result of the hard work of a generation that knew how to play with intelligence, with measure and with confidence. Then the Macedonian handball players proved that in sports there are no small and large countries, but only brave hearts, a clear goal, a strong character and unwavering faith in one’s own capabilities.
Five years later, in the same place, a historic feat was celebrated again. The Macedonian handball club “Vardar” became the European champion, and in 2019 it once again rose to the peak of handball Europe. With those magnificent triumphs, it was confirmed that the Macedonian handball has the capacity to compete even with the strongest European clubs.
This week, Skopje will host over 700 young athletes from 20 countries, united by the passion for handball. In the diversity of languages, the richness of cultures and the waving flags, the true power of sport is manifested: to create a healthy spirit, to encourage excellence and to bring young people together.
Handball is a rare combination of speed and reason, strength and measure, individual courage and collective precision. When playing, there is no standstill, no hidden place, no opportunity for anyone to stay aside. The ball travels fast, decisions are made even faster and every mistake immediately becomes an advantage for the opponent. The goalkeeper defends as the last line of hope, the attack builds space where it seems it cannot be built, while the last seconds often bring more excitement than entire competitions in other sports.
For us, handball is not only a sports discipline, but also a part of the national identity, a source of pride and a field where we have been presenting ourselves with dignity for years. Generations of athletes have emerged who have become examples of discipline, responsibility and teamwork, and it is precisely these virtues that have a broader value, because they are equally needed off the field, in society and in everyday life.
It is no coincidence that handball is said to be a kind of microcosm of the theory of social contract. In it, personal ambition is subordinated to the common goal, and individual talent gains true value when it is put at the service of the team. At the same time, it plays a valuable role in the development of young people, because it encourages cooperation, mutual trust and teaches that differences and conflicts can be overcome in the interest of the common good.
Therefore, handball is more than a game, a philosophy of life in which discipline and passion, reason and courage, personal effort and collective spirit.
I cannot but say that handball has a special place in my life, because I grew up next to my sister, who was a handball player. That is how I got to know the world of training, sacrifices and perseverance, a special modus vivendi.
As a woman, I am particularly proud to recall that women’s handball also left a deep mark on the Macedonian sports history. In 1997, Indira Kastratovic was the top scorer at the World Championship. Five years later, “Kometal Gjorce Petrov” won the European Champions League. With these successes, the Macedonian sport gained a new dimension, and many young girls were encouraged that even the seemingly impossible is possible.
I sincerely wish that just as our Indira became part of the handball hall of fame, some of you will one day stand among the names that this sport remembers.
Dear participants,
You are not here only as representatives of your schools, cities and countries. You are young people who, through sports, learn how to win honestly, how to endure defeat with dignity and how to respect your opponent, without whom neither the competition nor the true value of victory would exist.
The medals will go to the best, but the experience, new friendships and valuable sports lessons will remain with everyone.
I am convinced that Skopje will welcome you sincerely and warmly, as befits a hospitable city, a city with a rich cultural life and cosmopolitan energy, which in 2028 will bear the dignified recognition of “European Capital of Culture”.
Let me declare the 27th World High School Handball Championship open!
