Serbia - ‘Allow me to take the blame’

From www.blic.rs
Download source here

Vlade Divac, the newly-appointed president of the Serbian Olympic Committee, is intent to overhaul the work ethic and approach in the organization, while one of his primary goals is to ensure an increased influence and redefine the jurisdictions within the hierarchy. Speaking with Minister of Sport Snezana Samardzic-Markovic, Divac is attempting to procure a more vital function for the body.

What is the current role of the Serbian Olympic Committee?
- “Until now, it has occupied a place in the rank of any sports association, while we should be the summit of the top sport of the country. We want to have more in charge and not just be a mere tourist agency that sends athletes away to Olympic Games every four years. Whenever the issue of funding and budget is brought up, another issue imposes itself – control – and the Olympic Committee does possess the mechanisms to provide the rationale for the funding,” said Divac, beginning his interview for Blic.

So you are ready to assume increased responsibility?
- “Of course. If we’re asking for bigger influence, then the responsibility is higher too. When I first decided to enter the Olympic Committee, my aim was not to get my hands on a position and put a presidential title in front of my name. My main function is that of a parent – it’s extremely demanding, with plenty of obligations. The idea is to set up a system that works and that could be of use for my successor. Everything else is up to the athletes. We can provide the financial side and quality conditions. Results are important, but not more than a quality system employed.”

What are the details of the organization you would like to do away with?
- “There have been a lot of things that have not been dealt with properly. That’s why change was necessary in the first place. First, I disliked the Olympic Committee had been turned into a voting machinery, with the lobbying of Olympic sports reps, amateurs and various associations all in the mix, and they all had the right to vote. My goal is to grant the decision-making priority to the representatives of the Olympic sports. Secondly, one illogical matter was the criteria employed in the run-up to the presidential election. It was ridiculous. Just imagine if I now imposed a statutory eligibility criterion that if someone wanted to run for president, they must not be shorter than 212cm.”

Who would you like to have as your immediate associates?
- “I would like to have Dusan Ivkovic and Radomir Antic at my side. These are men who have taken on the role of coaches of two national teams because they truly wish to help and do something useful. Their experience and enthusiasm can prove to be of immense importance for all of us younger officials.”

What are the greatest problems of the Serbian sport in general?
- “Poor infrastructure would top the list in my view. The Universiade in Belgrade should have been a guideline how to provide improved conditions to kids, but the organization has failed completely and the Olympic Committee is powerless in this situation, as the event is not under our jurisdiction. The city of Zagreb, for example, inherited modern establishments after the Universiade in Croatia, but the conditions for athletes were incomparably better than here. The problem are betting services. They are connected with sport, but the money which circulates never returns to athletic organizations. Maybe it should be disclosed where all the funds end up. The third thing is that the role of the Olympic Committee should finally be accurately defined.”

Will you be able to protect the sport in Serbia from the influence of politics?
- “The government are currently putting in a lot of effort to develop sport, which wasn’t the case before. Sport is important for any country, but it must be protected from current political affairs. I firmly believe that we are capable of fighting against these things.”

Has there been any pressure on you in terms of who to appoint as the members of you backroom staff?
- “There have been some suggestions, as many are now recognizing their interests. I’ve tried to explain that if we want change then we need to change the we think. I don’t owe anything to anyone and I will remain independent in my choices. I have chosen the people who I think can help me, and I didn’t make many poor choices during my career as a player.”

Clubs’ lobbying can also prove to be detrimental effect.
- “I haven’t and I don’t intend to take club sides when appointing my associates for the Olympic Committee and I had only been interested in capable people, and not the clubs they come from. The fact the two vice-presidents – Ivan Todorov and Zarko Paspalj – create a balance of club interests is a pure coincidence.”

You are demanding a four-year long continuity in work, and not only periodic activities. What does that practically mean?
- “For starters, the entire system needs to be overhauled – from the grassroots to the top professional sport. Our motive is not to be active in the Olympic year, but throughout the period between the Games. If we, for instance, spot a talented kid at the age of 18, it is logical to assume we should monitor their development and support them, because they could grow into an Olympic-medal material by the age of 22. We need to set our priorities straight, nurture the individual sports in which this nation was once successful. We don’t need to go all the way to China to see the home nation win 30-odd medals in individual sports, we can just learn something from the examples of Hungary or Slovenia. Serbia has always produced excellent tennis players, swimmers, as well as volleyball and basketball teams, and once we are certain what our priorities are, then we will be getting the job done the right way.”