The Minister of Sports, Borko Ristovski, today organized a reception at the Ministry of Sports for the Macedonian athletes and the delegation from the Special Olympics of Macedonia before their performance at the Special Olympics World Winter Games – Turin 2025, which will be held from 7 to 16 March 2025.
The Macedonian delegation, consisting of talented athletes, coaches and officials, will represent Macedonia at this major sports competition that will bring together over 1,500 athletes from 102 countries around the world.
Ristovski wished the Macedonian athletes a successful performance at this global sports event and expressed his unreserved support.
– The results are the least important, what is important is that you participate and represent the country respectably. And, let us all try together to make this world of ours, which is a little strange, a better place to live and bring these athletes, our friends, closer to normal sports and normal functioning in society. I will always be of help to them at any time and in any way. These athletes deserve much more attention and care than what they are currently receiving – said Ristovski.
The Minister also announced that the Special Olympics of Macedonia will receive priority in the payment of financial resources that come as assistance from the state for sports.
-From our side, what we announced as financial support will be paid during the next week. We will make an exception, the payment will be only for your national sports federation so that we do not leave you waiting when other federations receive the funds. This will be just the beginning. I want to build a relationship of mutual respect so that these athletes of ours feel that they are equal in society and in sports – emphasized Ristovski.
At the Special Olympics World Winter Games – Turin 2025, our athletes will compete in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and dance sports, demonstrating their talent, dedication and sportsmanship. The delegation will be led by Dragan Karadzovski, as head of the delegation, Prof. Jovan Jovanovski as head coach for alpine skiing, Prof. Ermond Miftari as assistant coach for alpine skiing, Prof. Ilija Klincharov as head coach for cross-country skiing and Prof. Katerina Jolakoska as head coach for sport dance. The athletes who will represent our country are: Fatmire Bajramoska – cross-country skiing, Alban Bajramoski – cross-country skiing, Ilina Georgieva – sport dance, Stefan Trpkovski – sport dance, Matej Alarov – alpine skiing, Sebaat Ajvazi – alpine skiing.
-I would like to express my deepest gratitude, first of all, to our athletes and their families, who with their dedication and hard work are a symbol of the true Olympic spirit. Thanks also to all our collaborators and socially responsible companies for the support they provided us in the preparations for Turin 2025. Without their help, this journey would not have been possible. With joint forces, we continue to create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and build the inclusive sports community that we deserve – said the President of Special Olympics Macedonia, Monika Boškoska.
Within the framework of the games, the delegation of Special Olympics North Macedonia will also be part of the Global Youth Leadership Summit, the “Healthy Athletes” program and other inclusive initiatives, thus promoting the importance of sport as a means of social inclusion.
Under the motto “Let me win, and if I cannot, let me be brave in the attempt”, our athletes will do their best to present the country in the best light and show that sport is for everyone.
