11 years ago, the then young handball pearl Branko Vujović left Sutjeska and went to Poland to play for Kielce. His career took an upward trajectory, Vujović grew into a top handball player in Kielce, Celje in Slovenia, Hannover in Germany and Dinamo Bucharest, and this summer he will try to pass on his knowledge to younger players, who are just starting out, and who want to reach heights through handball.
The captain of the Montenegrin national handball team, together with Đurđina Jauković, who also started her journey to handball heights from Nikšić, will organize a camp in her hometown from June 22nd to 28th for boys and girls aged 10 to 18 - beginners, but also players with club experience.
The camp, as the Dinamo handball player points out, is a chance for talented players to emerge who could benefit the men's and women's handball national teams in the future.
- Đina and I played together in Bucharest, so we hung out, from time to time mentioned the story of the camp and decided to try it. It was not easy, because we organized everything from Romania. Children who paid for the full package will have accommodation, three meals, two sets of equipment and backpacks, along with a certificate that they attended this camp. With the help of sponsors, we managed to realize the idea. Without the Municipality of Nikšić, we would not have been able to organize the camp. There are the Handball Federation of Montenegro, "Dekor Iva", "Diva Voda", "Paradiso", the transport company "Glušica" and the hotel "Onogošt". We hope that everything will go smoothly. We will have activities outside of handball - it will look at the highest possible level. So that, in addition to playing handball, children can socialize and make friends - said Vujović in an interview for "Vijesti".
He also explained who would be working with the participants.
- My first coach Zoran Abramović will be in charge of the boys. He was the coach of Sutjeska, he has an EHF license. Milanka Čelebić will work with the girls, Marko Knežević from Bar will work with the goalkeepers, and Goran Music will be the fitness coach of the senior national team. We tried to have coaches with knowledge and experience of working with children, so that the participants can progress.
The plan is to make the camp a tradition.
- This is important for both Nikšić and handball in the city. Nikšić is a city of handball, a lot of talents from this city have come to fruition. I am convinced that this camp will produce a lot of quality players, but the most important thing is that it will produce a lot of quality people. We will try to explain to them what professional sports and life entail, I think the participants will learn a lot. I am sure that the national team can also benefit from this camp, because the participants will be under the watchful eye of handball workers, and one of the guests of the camp will be the president of the Federation, Petar Kapisoda - explained Vujović.
SENIOR HANDBALL IS NOT AT AN ENVIOUS LEVEL
The Dinamo right-back emphasizes that it is necessary to work on popularizing handball in Montenegro.
- Handball should be promoted and advertised in public as much as possible. Clubs should work with children. I think that many teams are based only on senior handball, which is not at an enviable level. If we are talking about the future of handball in Montenegro, then it is much smarter and better to invest in younger categories. So that in a few years we can get results, and most importantly - to create players for the national team.
Vujović also looked at the domestic league.
- The league is not at an enviable level, which is evident in European competitions. It is difficult to retain young handball players, because every talent leaves Montenegrin handball early. It happened that when they leave Montenegro, they play for another national team, which I completely understand. Everyone is looking for their chance. Young players think that it can help them, they don't think about certain things. Later it may hit them in the head, but while they are young I understand.
He also sees a chance for the progress of handball in Montenegro through the Regional League.
- It will certainly help. It will require more investment, if two teams from Montenegro invest, then other clubs will follow in their footsteps. I hope it can benefit Montenegrin handball.
WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO UNDERESTIMATE ANYONE
The Montenegrin national team recently played two matches against Slovenia in the play-offs for the Handball World Cup. The “Lions” were defeated both times, but they left a much better impression than they did last winter at the European Championship.
- I'm glad that we showed a different side against Slovenia than at the European Championship. I think those play-off matches were our maximum. We don't have nearly as much quality as Slovenia, and yet we had the opportunity to threaten them. We can only make up for the lack of quality with a fight. The matches against Slovenia give me hope that we can do something - said Vujović.
The European Championship qualifiers begin in November. The “Lions” are in a group with Hungary, the Faroe Islands and Kosovo.
- We have a tough group. Hungary suits us better than the Faroe Islands. Anyone who follows handball knows that the Faroe Islands have a great team. If we look at where these guys play, we see that they are a serious national team. It is their number one sport. We have seen how many fans follow them, when they play there is a state of emergency. They are a great team. As for Kosovo - we have no right to underestimate anyone. We do not have the quality to be able to draw something from quality. We have to approach every game one hundred percent and then we have a chance against everyone - Vujović is honest.
SUTJESKA HAS MADE A BIG LEADER
Branko Vujović arrived in Nikšić after the end of the season in Romania. He watched the season finale and the match of Sutjeska, which finished in a good fourth place.
- A good result was achieved, the club stepped up, brought in the right names. Jovo Damjanović and Filip Vujović came. Jovo has a silver medal from the World Championship. Filip played in Spain, plays for the national team. These are names that mean Nikšić handball and hold the club. They saw how real handball works, how difficult it is to play on the sidelines, they are a real example for the players from Nikšić. If Sutjeska continues to invest and bring in names like this, then that is a real story and that will help Nikšić handball - said Vujović.
There are talents, Vujović noticed one.
- I would single out Petar Ćorović. He does things that I didn't do until I went into serious handball circles. He's still a child, he likes to follow, to play, to listen... He's a great talent and a top guy. If he keeps working, I think he's the future of Montenegrin handball and he has a great career ahead of him.
SUCCESSFUL SEASON WITH DINAM
Vujović had a good season with Dinamo. In Romania, they won everything there was to win, but in the Champions League, the team finished the competition in the group stage.
- The season was successful. We did what we had to do. It was our duty to win the league, the Cup and the Super Cup and we managed to do that. The plan was to get through the group in the Champions League, but we lost a lot of games in the final stages, as if there was some kind of brake at important moments - summed up Vujović.
As things stand now, the Nikšić native will not change his environment.
- I have a contract for another year. But handball is unpredictable, it's hard to predict. I hope everything will go well. We'll see what the options are and what the plan is going forward - concluded Branko Vujović.
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