In memory of Anja Radonjić, a girl from Paraćin who tragically died under a canopy in Novi Sad, a new basketball court was opened in her hometown. The court bears her name and features a mural with her portrait. It was built at the initiative of the “Anja Radonjić Foundation,” established by her family, with financial support from the Red Star Basketball Club, of which Anja was a devoted fan.
In honor and memory of Anja, who loved basketball and actively played it, the First Memorial Charity Basketball Tournament for girls was also held, with teams from all over Serbia participating, N1 reports.
Even several days after the court’s opening and the memorial tournament dedicated to Anja, the court that bears her name is full of children. The N1 team found young people playing basketball there, saying they come in the mornings, during the day, and in the evenings.
That was the goal of the Anja Radonjić Foundation, and of her family, when they initiated the construction of this court.
“As the president of the club, I would like to thank the Anja Radonjić Foundation and her family for initiating the idea to build this basketball court. It all started with them, and the realization of everything would not have been possible without the Red Star Basketball Club,” said Miroslav Mitrović, president of OKK Paraćin.
He emphasized that the court means a lot to the local community, as this type of facility exists only on the other side of town. “So, children from this part of the city have not had such conditions for playing basketball until now, and we hope this will encourage more kids to start training basketball in our clubs in Paraćin,” he added.
Aleksa Tončić, a student from Paraćin, said that students gladly helped the family organize the tournament.
“It is very important that we do not forget our fellow citizen Anja. No one can stay indifferent — some of us knew her better, some less, but her spirit remains with us, and we are trying to move forward. This court is very important for the children of Paraćin because it is modern, has two hoops, is well-lit, and can be used both day and night,” said Aleksa.
The Foundation, that is, the family of Anja Radonjić, is connected with young people and students, and together they work on collecting funds for various causes.
“For us, it is the greatest honor that the family accepted us this way and allowed us to take part and help,” Aleksa emphasized, adding that all the students who were in town over the weekend came to volunteer and help the family with the tournament, leaving a beautiful memory of Anja.
Marija Komarac, the author of Anja’s mural painted on the court, said that Anja was not only beautiful on the outside but also had a beautiful spirit.
“Anja was a child everyone loved. You know when people say — that was someone everyone loved… The way her fellow citizens and family described her, she was absolutely born to be a leader. Someone who reconciles people, calms negativity, and brings others together. That is what I would highlight as her greatest quality,” said artist Komarac.
In this mural, Anja is portrayed wearing her basketball uniform because everyone knows how much she loved basketball.
The Anja Radonjić Foundation itself was also her wish. “During her life, she had the need and desire to establish a foundation that would help those in need, and her parents made that wish come true,” it was said.
Anja Radonjić from Paraćin will remain on the memorial mural for many, many years to come, inspiring and passing on her victorious spirit to future generations who will love basketball just as she did — and who will play the game on the very court that bears her name, our reporter concludes.
MORE TOPICS:
CRTA: The student list is supported by 12 percent more citizens than Vučić’s!
Source: Nova.rs, Foto: Printscreen Instagram