Cecunjanin: Karate Federation faces side-effects in order to secure "seats by depth" in an election year

Regarding the turbulent events at the top of Montenegrin karate, the head coach of the Montenegrin national karate team, Almir Cecunjanin, issued a press release.

We transmit his announcement in full:

"Karate is not just a sport for me, it's life, and that's why I feel a moral and professional obligation to speak out."

"In recent months, the Karate Federation of Montenegro has been facing 'side' attacks and pressures in order to secure 'deep seats' in the election year. And all this at a time when our sport is at its historic peak."

"These events cause direct and enormous damage to karate, and most of all to competitors who have important championships ahead of them."

"In the past four years, the entire Montenegrin sports public has had the opportunity to witness the professional and responsible management of karate sport, the best and most functional Federation in the history of karate in our country."

"This is not a subjective position because all of us in karate sport know that when he took over the leadership, the president of the Federation, Predrag Perković, inherited huge debts and a disorderly system. Today we are witnessing a stable organization and established sustainability for further work."

"Perfect conditions have been created for the work of all selections, especially the senior ones. Scholarships have been provided for as many as 11 seniors, out of a total of about forty in Montenegro. Additionally, monetary rewards have been provided for achieved results, such as free studying in a sports regime, complete sports equipment, seminars with the greatest karate names of today, as well as medical care for all seniors."

"In such conditions, results could not be lacking, and they are the best achieved in a single mandate ever."

"His qualities have also been recognized by the umbrella karate federations, so under the leadership of Predrag Perković, KSCG was entrusted with organizing as many as five Balkan Championships. The crowning recognition of his work is winning the organization of the European Senior Championship in 2028."

"All of these are results that, I believe, the entire Montenegrin sports public is proud of, and it is unacceptable that in these months, synchronized work is being done to collapse everything that has functioned so well. Just because the president does not want to trade positions. It seems that some of us find it difficult to accept that there are people who do not change their principles for a second term."

"Unfortunately, we are also witnessing that destructive games, trading in positions and irresponsible name-calling of people who have given a lot to karate, directly harm the sport. Such practices hinder competitors, unreasonably undermine the integrity of the Federation and threaten the future of Montenegrin karate."

"We must not accept the matrix that is now being imposed, whereby people who have not lived this sport are placed in leadership positions based on pre-allocated functions."

"We've seen that scenario before and we know where it led. I guess we've all become wiser."

"It is time for us all to stand together in defense of sport and athletes!", says a statement from Almir Cecunjanin.