Last night, in the festive atmosphere of the multimedia hall of the BiH Olympic Committee, the 14th “Sportsman of the Year Selection” event was held, organized by the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina and under the special patronage of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The best athlete of Bosnia and Herzegovina was announced in 2025. swimmer Lana Pudar.
– It is a great honor and pleasure for me to be chosen as the best sportswoman of Bosnia and Herzegovina this year. This award will surely be a significant motivation for me in my further work. Here at the University of Virginia, I work and train hard and represent my country with pride. I am trying to bring many results in the coming period that will make us happy as in the previous period. Thank you for your support and trust and for building a better and more beautiful future of Bosnian sports together – said Pudar.
On behalf of the Olympic family of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the President of the OKBiH academician prof. Dr. Izet Rađo.
– ‘We are here today to celebrate sport, but also to celebrate the values that sport carries: responsibility, dedication, courage and togetherness. These are values that do not belong only to stadiums and halls, they are values that shape society. OKBiH is a place where a different story is written, a story about a better, nobler tomorrow, where every athlete, coach and citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes a partner in creating a more humane future. It is our duty, our honor and our path. This year, our champions showed the most important thing: that it is not crucial where you come from, but with how much heart you go forward. You proved that a small country becomes big through big people. And that’s why tonight I say loud and clear: we are proud of each and every one of you. But, as the president of the Olympic Committee, it is my duty to say what is sometimes kept silent: our athletes succeed thanks to themselves, not thanks to the system. That has to change. A country that wants to progress must have a strategy, stable financing, infrastructure, medical supervision, support programs, professional teams and clear rules and criteria. Remember the medal doesn’t just shine on your chest — it shines in the eyes of the people you’ve inspired, years later. Be proud of yourself. Be brave. Be the messengers of a country that needs you, maybe more than you think. Let this night be a confirmation that we are on the right path. Let it be an invitation for the state and institutions to finally stand by those who represent us with pride. And let it be a promise that we will build a sports culture that gives our children a chance to realize their dreams – said Radja.
List of award winners: The best young athlete in the junior category are Tea Kovačević, tennis and Zakira Pušina, archery.
The best young athletes in the junior category are Anur Mehić, skiing and Enhar Mahmić, athletics.
The most successful sports club is the Taekwondo club “Novi Grad Sarajevo”.
The most successful national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the men’s senior basketball team.
The most successful coach is Damir Đedović, swimming.
Special awards of the OKBiH: For the promotion of sports and Olympic values - Special Olympics of the BiH national team.
Sports promoters of Bosnia and Herzegovina are: Water polo national team U16, Borsa Open – European Top Judo tournament, Jelena Stojanović, kickboxing and Allem Merdan, kickboxing.
Athlete or team from the family of non-Olympic sports: Kenan Šiljak, karate, Emina Sipović, karate, ITF national team, Mario Kojić, motorcycling, Haris Jusufbašić, aeromodelling.
Special award for outstanding sports result: Ismail Barlov, paraswimming, BiH national team in sitting volleyball, Amir Memišević, archery, Zerina Vrabac, swimming, Nino Šeremet, taekwondo, Sejfo Šehović, powerlifting, Award for support in the work of OKBiH – Sponsors OKBiH: Coca Cola, BH Telecom, Lottery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Number 1, Energoinvest.
Award for media promotion of Olympic values - Admir Salihović, FACE TV.
For successful long-term coaching: Haris Husić, taekwondo.
Sports ambassador: Sergej Barbarez, football.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mirsad Fazlagić, football.
The best athlete in the senior competition: Lana Pudar, swimming.
The best athlete in the senior competition: Enhar Mahmić, athletics.
Athlete of the year: Lana Pudar.
As part of the event, diplomas of the International Olympic Committee were awarded to the participants of Advanced Management Courses in Sports, 15 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina. sports federations and MCA BiH successfully completed the program.
The implementation of the OCEAN project was also promoted, as part of which we received the first Climate Change Officer for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Assoc. Dr. Maja Đurić.
The selection of the athlete in 2025 was held in the presence of the most eminent persons of Bosnian sports and the sports public, announced the OKBiH.
(Vijesti.ba/Fena)
