Hrvatski Olimpijski Odbor

Olympic News

The first athlete employees of MORH (The Croatian Ministry of Defense)

published 22.12.2010

Zagreb, December 2010. - The boxer Filip Hrgovic, wrestler Tonimir Sokol, yachtsmen Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic, Igor Marenic, Sime Fantela and Tonci Stipanovic, judoists Andreja Dakovic and Ivana Maranic, karate expert Danil Domdjoni, skier Natko Zrncic Dim, Lucija Zaninovic, Filip Grgic and Stipe Jarloni (taekwondo), rowers Valent Sinkovic, Martin Sinkovic and Damir Martin, David Sain and Marko Premuzic (parachuting) and Bojan Durković (archery) - are the first athletes employed by the Ministry of Defense having the status of active military personnel. They gave their consent by signing a formal contract with the Ministry of Defense for which this is as well as for the COC a historical breakthrough in the care of top Croatian athletes.

In the presence of the Prime Minister of Croatia Jadranka Kosor and a number of distinguished persons of Croatian sports, headed by the President and Secretary General Zlatko Matesa and Josip Cop and the highest representatives of the Ministry of Defense headed by the Minister of Defense Branko Vukelic, the athletes signed their contracts at the Croatian Military Academy in Zagreb and committed to at least three years of professional status in the Croatian Army with the privilege of using that right for five years.
Their professional knowledge and skills will greatly assist in the regular system of educating military personnel providing at the same time conditions stable enough for the development of a top athletic career which is the main point of this Agreement.

Already in January all athletes will go through a regular procedure: from a medical examination to the general program of voluntary military service and placement for carrying out anticipated professional commitments.
"The military activity will profit from their knowledge and skills, with the security of stable training conditions for the continuation of their top sports careers. “- said Zlatko Matesa while wishing the athletes a successful active military year of 2011.