ZAGREB, Aug 6 (Hina) - Two days before the opening ceremony of the Second World Military Games, we are proud to say that in only 17 months we have managed to meet all requirements regarding the organisation of the largest sports event
in our country, which will gather 6,500 athletes from 76 countries, said Josip Lucic, director of the Institution of the Second World Military Games, in Zagreb on Friday.
ZAGREB, Aug 6 (Hina) - Two days before the opening ceremony of the
Second World Military Games, we are proud to say that in only 17
months we have managed to meet all requirements regarding the
organisation of the largest sports event in our country, which will
gather 6,500 athletes from 76 countries, said Josip Lucic, director
of the Institution of the Second World Military Games, in Zagreb on
Friday. #L#
Speaking at a news conference at the press centre at the Zagreb
Fair, Lieutenant-General Josip Lucic said more than 20,000 persons
had been accredited for the games. The accreditation procedure
lasts less than a minute, and along with accommodation facilities
and venues, it is the best guarantee that the games will proceed as
planned, he said.
The President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM),
Colonel Gianni Gola, said only sports could gather soldiers from
different countries at the same time and on the same place. The
purpose of the games is for young people to spend time together, and
to promote solidarity and peace, Gola said, expressing hope that
the United States would confirm the organisation of the 3rd World
Military Games in 2003 during the Zagreb event.
The Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Institution of
the 2nd World Military Games, Defence Minister Pavao Miljavac, said
the Croatian Army had faced a major challenge as only four years ago
it had been involved in military operations, after which it had to
undergo peace-time reorganisation in a short period of time. Many
did not believe it would be possible to organise the games in such a
short time, on such a high level and with this many participants, he
said.
According to a deputy director of the Institution, Andrija
Mijacika, the key dates for the games' organisers will be August 8,
when the opening ceremony will be held at Zagreb's Maksimir
stadium, and August 11, when regular events will be accompanied by a
marathon race in the streets of Zagreb in the morning hours, by a
triathlon race in the afternoon, and a soccer match between
Zagreb's team Croatia and Hungary's MTK, to take place in the
evening.
(hina) rml