Zoran Gajić, the man holding the keys to Serbian sport, showed up at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and dropped a bombshell! While the world was busy watching the economy, he was busy forging alliances with Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Bahrain, promising to continue cooperation that could elevate Serbian sport to a whole new level. But wait, there’s more! While the world debates sanctions against Russian athletes, Gajić openly says he doesn’t believe these sanctions will be lifted anytime soon and that political decisions are pulling the strings behind the scenes.
At the panel “Sport as a Universal Language of Dialogue,” which included representatives from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and even a Hungarian Olympic fencing champion, Gajić made it clear how important sport is to governments worldwide. While some are optimistic about sanctions ending soon, he’s pessimistic and warns it will take time.
But it’s not just politics. Gajić highlighted how crucial sports tourism is for Serbia. The Volleyball Nations League in Belgrade was a massive hit — packed arenas, patriotic fans waving flags, and foreign guests, including Poles, were thrilled. All this brings money back into the state coffers, which is a rare win in the sports world where money often just gets spent.
And it doesn’t stop there! Serbia is investing in big sports clubs like Red Star and Partizan, building infrastructure for major events, including a national stadium and a sports complex in Surčin. Gajić insists sport isn’t just throwing money away; it’s a smart investment that can fill the state budget.
So, while the world watches sanctions and political games, Serbia is quietly gearing up to become a sports powerhouse with serious international ties. Is this the dawn of a new era for Serbian sport or just another political play? Drop a comment, crack a joke, or stir the pot — sport and politics have never been this juicy!
