JAHORINA TO HOST SNOWBOARD CROSS WORLD CUP IN FEBRUARY

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 28 /SRNA/ – Jahorina will host a Snowboard Cross World Cup event in February next year, as confirmed at a meeting between Republika Srpska Minister of Trade and Tourism Ned Puhovac and representatives of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation /FIS/.

The Ministry of Trade and Tourism of Republika Srpska told SRNA that hosting this prestigious international sporting event would represent significant recognition for Jahorina, as well as for the overall organisational and infrastructure capacities of Republika Srpska. Puhovac and Igor Žiljak, director of the Jahorina Olympic Centre, visited Sölden, Austria, last weekend at the invitation of the federation, attending the opening of the new Alpine Ski World Cup season. They met with the new FIS President, Alexander Ospelt, and the federation's executive directors, continuing discussions on organising international ski competitions on Jahorina, which had been ongoing intensively over the preceding period. The Ministry noted that a significant step in this process was the visit by the federation's executive directors to Republika Srpska two months ago. During that visit, they inspected the ski slopes on Jahorina and concluded that the necessary conditions for hosting ski competitions were in place. They also visited Banja Luka, where a meeting was held at the Ministry of Trade and Tourism to define the objectives and responsibilities of the line ministry and the Jahorina Olympic Centre in organising international sporting events. The competition is expected to bring together the world's top athletes in this discipline, attract the attention of the international skiing community and further promote Jahorina as a recognised destination for major skiing events. “Of particular significance are the results of the discussions concerning plans for 2028. Following the successful organisation of competitions in 2027 and confirmation of high organisational standards, the plan is for Jahorina to host the Alpine Skiing European Cup, with a women's downhill World Cup event envisaged as the crowning achievement of these activities,” the Ministry stated. They emphasised that implementing these plans would represent a major step forward in developing Jahorina as an international skiing destination and create opportunities to host top-tier Alpine skiing competitions. In addition to sporting events, it was agreed, at the proposal of the FIS president, that Jahorina would host a meeting of representatives of the international organisation in 2028. The meeting brings together representatives of national ski associations and members of the international skiing community. The Ministry noted that the joint responsibility of the relevant institutions and the Jahorina Olympic Centre is to ensure that the upcoming competitions are organised to the highest standards, comply with international requirements and build on the successful cooperation with FIS. The planned events represent more than individual sporting competition and are a part of a long-term commitment to developing Jahorina into an internationally recognised destination for elite sport, winter tourism and major international events, supported by strong institutional backing and partnerships with the world's leading sports organisations.