"This agreement only extends our cooperation with the HOO. We are aware of the value of our athletes who have achieved exceptional results and promote our country in the world. This agreement will enable them to continue with these results as this serves our common good," Minister Kotromanovic said.
The athletes that joined the reserve forces include high-jumper Ana Simic, gymnast Filip Ude, wrestlers Bozo Starcevic and Neven and Nenad Zugaj, taekwondo athletes Ana Zaninovic and Vedran Golec, judoist Barbara Matic and archers Giovanni Cernogoraz and Anton and Josip Glasnovic.
"This new agreement encompasses many medal winners at the Olympics and world and European championships and I am convinced that many of them will be successful at the Olympics in Rio. They will all have access to the best infrastructure that the Defence Ministry offers," Matesa said.
There are already 18 athletes who had previously joined the reserve forces.
The model of employing top athletes in the defence ministry began in 2010. The model is a way of recognising the achievements of athletes and promoting sports, particularly in the armed forces.