An institution that meets the requirements of the 21st century and provides worthy conditions for the physical and mental preparation of athletes was created with the Vojvodina Wrestling Academy, emphasized Szilárd Németh, the president of the Hungarian Wrestling Association, on Thursday in Magyarkanizsa, at the handover ceremony of the new sports center.

The vice-president of Fidesz reminded that the Hungarian Wrestling Association, in collaboration with the National Strategic Research Institute, launched the program called "On one mat, one language, together for Hungarian wrestling" in 2017, which aimed to unite Hungarian wrestlers across borders. Within this framework, the Vojvodina Wrestling Academy was also built.

The Secretary of State for National Defense pointed out that "today also proves that Hungary and Serbia can count on each other".

"Hungarian-Serbian cooperation is characterized by serious successes, and we must preserve this shared destiny in the future, as good neighborly relations are in the long-term interest of both countries," Szilárd Németh continued.

He emphasized, "Hungary's and Serbia's commitment to each other is also shown by the fact that Hungary will give Serbia all the support it needs to become a member of the European Union... if there is no Western Balkan expansion, one of Europe's key regions will become unstable." In his opinion, enlargement should be the most important issue of the European Union, "because it is one of the keys to a successful future and development".

As he said, the Hungarian government is convinced that "Serbia is the key country for the stability of the Western Balkans", and although the epidemic has somewhat pushed the issue of migration into the background, "we must not forget that Hungary cannot be safe without adequate defensive capabilities in the region".

Szilárd Németh reminded that Vojvodina has given the world great wrestlers in the past, and even now there are eight or ten wrestling associations where young Hungarian-speaking people train. Currently, approximately 300 young Hungarians are training here.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed the guests of the opening of the wrestling academy in a letter. As he wrote, a few decades ago "it still seemed like a bold dream to build a Hungarian sports facility in Vojvodina", "however, Hungarians are known to the world for the fact that from time to time they undertake missions that seem impossible".

"The plan of the Vojvodina Wrestling Academy was also born in the spirit of a great collaboration, and became a good example of how, in addition to our unique language and culture, our passion for Hungarian sports can unite us across borders," said the Prime Minister, who expressed his conviction that that in a few years we will already be talking about athletes who will start their triumphal journey from Magyarkanizsa.

Zeljko Trajkovic, the president of the Serbian Wrestling Federation, praised the good cooperation with the Hungarian Wrestling Federation and expressed his hope that the new academy will give new champions to Serbia and Hungary.
István Pásztor, the president of the Vojvodina Hungarian Association (VMSZ), expressed his joy in his celebratory speech that an initiative that no one had expected before could be realized.

"It was not in the script of our lives. It got into it by putting it in. And this is a sign that there are no run-of-the-mill stories," said the president of the VMSZ.

The politician thanked all those who made the creation of the wrestling academy possible, the athletes, the Hungarian government, the designers and contractors, and the Vojvodina political community that made the establishment of this facility possible.

"We proved that it is possible to prosper as a Hungarian in the homeland. We have proven that it is worth sticking to the conviction that the representation of interests, the honest representation of interests can create a partnership," he explained. He added that the result of this partnership is that the relationship between Hungary and Serbia is at a historic peak.

Serbian wrestlers Viktor Nemes and Davor Stefanek spoke about the importance of replenishment in their short greeting. They expressed their hope that the excellent preparation opportunities will lead to significant results.

The foundation stone of the wrestling academy was laid on October 23, 2019. The foundation stone laying timed for the national holiday was now followed by a handover organized for the anniversary of the victory in Nándorfehérvár. The organizers called both events symbolic.

The Vojvodina Wrestling Academy was established thanks to the cooperation of the Magyarkanizsa municipality, the Hungarian National Council of Vojvodina and the Kozma István Hungarian Wrestling Academy, with a grant of HUF 1 billion 273 million from the Hungarian government.

The area of ​​the academy building is approximately three thousand square meters, in addition to the 800 square meter sports hall, the building includes a 49-bed dormitory, as well as office space, a doctor's room and a fitness room.

MTI

Photo: MTI/Edvárd Molnár