Jovan Jovanović Zmaj elementary school in Sremkska Kamenica today hosted Voša’s expedition led by coach Milan Rastavac, as well as the first team members – Nemanja Nikolić, Lazar Carević, Milan Lazarević and Mamadou Traore.
With this visit, FK Vojvodina’s action under the slogan “You are our first love” continued, within which the Old Lady intends to visit many other elementary schools in Novi Sad and the surrounding area.
FK Vojvodina marketing director Miloš Subotin reiterated that this action has two goals: to promote sports and true values among the youngest, but also to make the Karađorđe stadium a place where whole families will come every time Vojvodina plays.
– The action under the slogan “You are our first love” was launched with the aim of educating children and guiding them towards sports and instilling the right values. This action also aims to return the audience to the stadium. We want our club’s matches to be events that people will come to as a family. Students of every school we visit, including this one, can join our action, for a symbolic price they get a card with which they and their family members can visit matches in domestic competitions for free this season and next. I would personally like to use this opportunity to invite all of you and the fans to come to the Karađorđe stadium tomorrow in as large a number as possible, to support our team and to finally rejoice together in the victory of our Vojvodina – said the marketing director of the Old Lady Miloš Subotin.
Vojvodina coach Milan Rastavac pointed out why it is important to play sports, because through sports, we learn how to fight through life.
– Nemanja Nikolić, who is 29 years old, said that he would like to be at your age, and you can imagine then how much I would like that. These years that we have more than you have taught us something that sport has brought us. Sport brings you strength, determination and the will to fight, because life is a fight. Sports teach you to fight in all fields of life, because whatever you choose to be, you will have to fight to be better than someone else to ensure a better life. Sport prepares you best for that fight, to learn to fall and to control the climbs. Playing sports has the greatest influence on the formation of your fighting character. It’s nice to be a part of sports, you don’t have to be a professional athlete. Sport is such that you can always find a place in it throughout your life. You can be a player, coach, supporter, board member or maybe even an owner. Maybe one of you will be successful in becoming the owner of Vojvodina one day. I wish you from the bottom of my heart to realize all your wishes and to persevere on the way to their realization – said Milan Rastavac.
Nemanja Nikolić said that he is honored to be a part of Vojvodina and discovered what sport can bring in life.
– Being a member of Vojvodina is a great honor, and as someone who was here in 2019, I am pleased that I am now a part of this Vojvodina. Sport brings you many acquaintances, trips where each of you will meet people who will be able to help you in life. Sport spreads a positive energy throughout the world and brings with it a positive emotion and creates a strong character, which will help you later in life. I’ve learned a lot through football, and the lessons you learn in sports, you’ll apply in life too, when something doesn’t go your way, you’ll have to give a little more than your best – said Nikolić.
After that, the schoolchildren’s questions followed, which were answered with a smile and satisfaction by Voša’s attacker.
First, he answered a question about his idols.
– It’s nice to have an idol and all those good features you see in him, you try to imitate and repeat. I can say that even today I sometimes wish to be like my idol.
This was followed by the question of whether he would have played another sport if he had not chosen football.
– I have been playing football since I was five years old and I have never had any other sport in my head. If I hadn’t chosen football, I would certainly have played some sport, which is the most important thing.
The kids was also interested in what is the secret of success on the path of a professional athlete.
– The biggest secret of success and the most important thing is family support and understanding, and I was lucky enough to have that since I was five or six years old when my father and mother took me to training for the first time. It is important that you have the support of your parents at all times.
He also revealed what he does in his spare time.
– I play table tennis or billiards with my teammates.
He also talked about the symbolism of his number on his back.
– Every striker wants to wear the number nine, because it is somehow a symbol of goal scorers. I was lucky enough that the club fulfilled his wish and gave me a “nine”.
Rituals are normal before matches, but Nikolić says that he personally does not have them.
– I don’t have any ritual, I try to concentrate and help the team and score a goal. It hasn’t been going well for me lately, but I hope that tomorrow’s game will start.
An interesting question followed about sacrifices on the way to success in sports.
– Now I don’t give up so much, but when I was younger I had to give up socializing with my peers, excursions. Now the focus is only football, I have no other obligations.
Finally, Nikolić revealed what his goals are for the next year.
– I hope that we will achieve our goal, which is to enter the European stage. My second goal is to stay healthy, which is most important in order to play sports – concluded Nemanja Nikolić.
After the socializing in the classroom, all those present went to the school yard, where enthusiastic children surrounded Voša’s players and coach, in order to take photos with them and get autographs. During that time, Voša’s promoters distributed Voša’s posters, class schedules, flyers and access cards to the children with which they can join the action “You are our first love”, as well as tickets for the upcoming match with TSC.
On this occasion, Voša also presented five soccer balls to the Jovan Jovanović Zmaj elementary school, but the surprises did not end there. This perfect day for the kids from Sremska Kamenica was completed by a game of football in which Voša’s first team members also participated.
The wonderful gathering filled with children’s smiles and joy was interrupted only when the children had to return to class for their school duties, and FK Vojvodina would like to once again thank the Elementary School Jovan Jovanović Zmaj for their cooperation in the implementation of this action, with the wish and expectation that the gatherings will to be frequent in the future, both at the school itself and at the Karađorđe stadium.
