At the initiative of the Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in New York, Dr. Vladimir Božović, a working meeting was held at the premises of the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia between representatives of one of the leading professional football clubs in the United States – New York City Football Club (NYCFC) – and representatives of two Serbian football clubs in this part of the United States: NY Serbia from Ridgewood (New York) and White Eagles from Paterson (New Jersey).
The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the representatives of the Serbian clubs to the organization and operating model of one of the most prominent professional football clubs in the United States, as well as to establish closer cooperation, exchange experiences, and consider opportunities for implementing joint projects focused on the development of youth football, strengthening cooperation with local communities, and advancing the Serbian sports community.
Opening the meeting, the Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in New York, Dr. Vladimir Božović, welcomed all those present and recalled the glorious chapters of Serbian football history, particularly highlighting the success of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia national team, which reached the semifinals of the inaugural FIFA World Cup in Montevideo in 1930, leaving an indelible mark on the history of world football. He also recalled the numerous achievements of Serbian football in the decades that followed.
The Consul General emphasized that Serbia, although small in terms of territory and population, is a country of great people and exceptional athletes who have been achieving outstanding results on the global stage for decades. He pointed out that sport is one of the best ways to connect people and communities, promote healthy values, and strengthen friendships, adding that Serbian athletes are the country’s finest ambassadors around the world through their achievements.
In addition to the representatives of New York City Football Club, the meeting was attended by Bogdan Tešović, Adam Gajta, and legendary Serbian footballer and football manager Aleksandar Saša Ćurčić, representing NY Serbia football club, founded in 1992 in New York, which for more than three decades has been one of the city’s most significant Serbian sports organizations.
Representing the White Eagles football club from Paterson were Velibor Uzelac, the club’s coach and manager, and Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Đokan Majstorović, head priest of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, under whose auspices the club was founded in 1993. Today, the White Eagles are one of the most prominent Serbian-American sports clubs in New Jersey and have played an important role for more than three decades in bringing together the Serbian community and promoting sports among young people.
Legendary Serbian footballer and football manager Aleksandar Saša Ćurčić welcomed the initiative and expressed his full support for its further development, emphasizing his readiness to place his knowledge, extensive experience, and professional contacts at the service of implementing joint projects and strengthening cooperation in the field of youth football.
During the discussion, participants explored opportunities for long-term cooperation, with particular emphasis on connecting young people, developing football academies, and implementing joint programs that, in cooperation with local institutions, would encourage children and young people to engage in sports, develop team spirit, and adopt healthy lifestyles.
Representatives of NY Serbia informed those present about their efforts to regain the use of their football field in New York, as well as to restore cooperation with the local community and the administration in Ridgewood. Representatives of New York City Football Club expressed their willingness to assist, within their capabilities, in establishing contacts with relevant institutions and to support these initiatives.
At the conclusion of the meeting, representatives of New York City Football Club invited all participants to visit their stadium, training center, and Experience Room in order to gain firsthand insight into the club’s organization, its youth programs, operating model, and other activities.
The meeting took place in an exceptionally warm and constructive atmosphere. On that occasion, commemorative gifts were exchanged as a sign of mutual respect and friendship, and all participants agreed that another meeting would be organized in the near future to finalize the agreed activities and further develop cooperation.
By organizing this meeting, the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in New York once again confirmed its commitment to connecting the Serbian community with relevant institutions and organizations in the United States, supporting initiatives that contribute to the development of sports, the strengthening of the community, and the creation of new opportunities for future generations.
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Source: Serbian Times, Foto: Privatna arhiva