Sports 2025 was a year of great successes, numerous medals, records, great matches, dramatic endings and moments that will never be forgotten, said the president of the Water Polo Swimming Association, Nikola Milić.
In an interview with the Mina agency, he emphasized that 2025 was also a year of big plans, in which numerous initiatives were launched and the implementation of projects began that will allow the conditions to fully reflect the importance of water polo and swimming in Montenegro.
Milić particularly emphasized the financial stability of the Federation and support for clubs, stating that these are the foundations of any sustainable sports system.
"In 2025, the budget, which was a record the year before, was almost doubled. This speaks to the trust that sponsors have in the Federation and in the direction we are going. We tried to run the Federation like a homebody, with a clear strategy for revenue growth, but also strict cost control," said Milić.
He emphasized that the results did not come by chance and that behind them stands a strong step forward in the organization of the work of the Federation's office and the continuous, often invisible, support they provide to clubs and national teams.
"We are also working very hard on marketing and communication, which is a successful collaboration with our sponsorship pool. We have built the trust of sponsors through a clear strategy, responsible management of funds and clear communication. The association has become more efficient, more operational and a service to everyone in the system," said Milić.
According to him, this stability and organizational strength have made it possible, after many years, to provide concrete financial support to the clubs, without which, as he stated, there are no players, no results, and no future for Montenegrin water polo and swimming.
"Around 15 percent of the total budget was paid to clubs based on clear criteria, which is the only correct way in the long term," Milić emphasized.
A result that no other team sport in the country has
He said that he is proud that water polo is the only team sport in Montenegro that has two representatives in the Champions League and one each in the Eurocup and the Conference Cup.
"Jadran has a real chance of being among the top eight in the Champions League, while Primorac continues to compete in the Eurocup and fight for a place among the top 16 teams. These are results that no other team sport in Montenegro has and are just another proof of what water polo means and gives to Montenegrin sport," said Milić.
He recalled that, when it comes to water polo, 2025 began with the World Cup qualifying tournament in Romania, and continued with the organization of the final tournament in Podgorica.
"We did this because we wanted to give water polo fans in Montenegro the opportunity to enjoy a sporting spectacle and for our sharks, in front of their home audience, to qualify for the World Championship. Now I am proud to point out that we received all the praise for the organization of that tournament and that the small but hardworking team of our Federation responded to the task in the best possible way," said Milić.
Speaking about the results, he recalled that the senior team took sixth place at the World Championships in Singapore, which is the best placement at the planetary championships since Budapest in 2017 and represents confirmation of continuity on the world stage.
"The members of the U-20 national team participated in the World Championship in Zagreb and made it to the top eight, while the U-16 team won bronze at the European Championship in Istanbul. The U-18 national team became European champions in Oradea, giving Montenegro a generation that is the pride of the entire country. Six matches, six victories, gold around the neck with unprecedented dominance, that was the path of the U-18 generation to the throne of Europe," said Milić.
Commenting on the swimming results, he emphasized that 2025 brought many new records, the emergence of young and talented competitors, as well as visible progress in all segments.
"Our Olympian Miloš Milenković shone at the Games of the Small Countries of Europe in Andorra, winning two gold medals, in the 50 and 100 meter butterfly. In both disciplines, he set new records for that competition. Our swimmers also participated in the COMEN Cup in Belgrade, the U23 European Championship in Šamorin, the EYOF in Sarajevo, the World Championship in Singapore, as well as the traditionally organized 11th MNE Open in Podgorica," said Milić.
Only water polo has a certain and sustainable potential to represent Montenegro at the biggest competitions.
He pointed out that in 2025, the Water Polo Swimming Association launched numerous initiatives, of which two stand out in particular - for water polo to gain the status of a national sport and infrastructure.
"When we talk about water polo as a national sport, it is important that the message is clear from beginning to end. Water polo has long deserved its status as a national sport. All the facts - the results of our senior national team since 2008, medals from major competitions and five consecutive appearances at the Olympic Games, as well as the constant successes of the younger teams - speak volumes in favor of this," said the president of the Water Polo Swimming Association.
Milić said that relevant public research has shown this and that he believes that the current government has also recognized this.
"I believe that the new Law on Sports will clearly define water polo as a national sport, which will ensure stable funding and long-term investment in its growth and development. If we realistically look at the situation in relation to all other team sports, only water polo has a certain and sustainable potential to continuously represent Montenegro at the largest international competitions and to fight for medals - at the European and World Championships, as well as at the Olympic Games, including Los Angeles 2028," said Milić.
According to him, Montenegro can do this because of the immense talent and dedicated work of its professional staff, and in "unequal competition", when it comes to the breadth of the base, the number of clubs, swimming pools, infrastructure...
"In numbers, we cannot compete with countries like Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Serbia, Spain or Greece, but in the game we can.... Last year alone, three junior teams won two medals, now that's 14 medals since independence from international competitions. This clearly shows that the player potential exists, but that we must provide it with a safe and quality foundation for work so that Montenegro can once again be among the three or four best water polo nations in the world," said Milić.
He emphasized that this is why they are investing especially in the younger categories - through clubs, preparations and systemic support for coaches, stating that they are the foundation of every success.
"We have introduced clear funding criteria, provided regular preparations, included the work of psychologists, and we are also planning cooperation with nutritionists," said Milić.
He emphasized that they have paid special attention to infrastructure, stating that, in coordination with local governments and through the capital budget, its development has become one of the priorities.
"The tender for the closure of the Olympic swimming pool in Podgorica has been completed, which creates the conditions for the candidacy to host the 2028 European Championship, but also for the long-term development of water polo in our capital city. The tender for the design of an Olympic indoor and outdoor swimming pool has been completed in Bar. In Herceg Novi, the reconstruction of the swimming pool in Igalo has been included in the capital budget, with a plan to connect the pool to a new primary school, which would be the first educational institution in Montenegro with an indoor swimming pool," said Milić.
He announced that an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool is also planned in that city, for which the main design has been prepared.
"A tender for an indoor swimming pool is expected in Pljevlja, while in Tivat the local administration has expressed a clear ambition to build an indoor swimming pool within the sports center. Which would mean that we have set a goal - to systematically and evenly develop infrastructure throughout Montenegro, through cooperation with state and local institutions, in order to provide permanent conditions for mass participation in water polo and swimming, top results and the organization of major international competitions," said Milić.
Speaking about the Regional League, he emphasized that VPS has made maximum efforts to preserve the existing system.
"When it became clear that there was no certainty, we took responsibility and launched a new league model, with the full financial and organizational engagement of the Federation. With this model, a new league was formed, with an office in Podgorica, as the first and only office of international sports cooperation that will be managed from Montenegro!!! Water Polo and Swimming Federation of Montenegro", said Milić.
He believes that this project has serious potential to protect the interests of water polo in the long term, improve conditions for young players, and enable them to make a decent living from the sport.
Belgrade Arena, ten years later
Commenting on the chances of the Montenegrin national team at the European Championship in Belgrade, Milić said that he believes that the atmosphere of Belgrade and the Belgrade Arena will suit the Montenegrin water polo players and that they can hope for the same results as they achieved ten years ago.
He reminded that Montenegro was unlucky in the draw, they were drawn against the strongest possible opponents in the group, and in the second phase they will face a group that includes world champions Spain, hosts Serbia and the Netherlands.
"Our selection is in the process of being created. This is also evident from the fact that we are going to the European Championship with an even younger team. It includes two eighteen-year-olds, current European champions with the U18 national team from Oradea, Strahinja Gojković and Danilo Stupar, as well as Srđan Janović, who at the age of 19 won silver with the U20 selection and was named the best player of the championship," said the president of the Water Polo Swimming Association.
He emphasized that they are clearly showing that they want to make room for new generations.
"Of course, we welcome every competition with maximum ambitions, but at the same time we think strategically and long-term. The goal is for this team to mature through strong matches and build continuity for the years to come with teammates and more experienced members of the national team who will know how to lead and direct it. As always, our ambitions are the highest possible, because that is what is expected of Montenegrin water polo," said Milić.
He said that he believes in Montenegrin water polo players and that he is convinced that they are ready to respond to all expectations and pressure in the best possible way.
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