The Ministry of Sports and the Union of Sports Federations of Macedonia, at a solemn ceremony in the National Opera and Ballet, announced today the best in Macedonian sports for 2024.
The traditional “Sportsman of the Year” event is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
The recognition of athlete of the year for 2024 went to kickboxer Boban Ilioski, European champion in the category up to 86 kg. at the EP in Athens.
The best athlete for 2024 is taekwondo player Milijana Reljic, Macedonian Olympian and quarterfinalist from the Olympic Games in Paris.
The awards to the most successful Macedonian athletes for 2024 were presented by the President of the Government, prof. Dr. Hristijan Mickoski and Minister of Sports Borko Ristovski.
– Today we recognize the best – the athletes who set the highest standards with their dedication, discipline and talent. Of course, we must not forget the coaches, clubs, federations and all sports workers who have been behind their successes for years. Today’s event is proof that sport breaks down all barriers – political, ethnic and social – and unites the nation. In the past year, Macedonia finally got the Ministry of Sports after two decades. This institution should elevate and return Macedonian sport to the place it deserves. Sport requires sacrifices, but it also brings many joyful moments like this one today. Be persistent and persevere on that path. Win for yourself and for Macedonia! – Minister Borko Ristovski said.
The President of the Government, prof. Dr. Hristijan Mickoski greeted the athletes and sports workers and thanked them for representing Macedonia in the world. Mickoski expressed satisfaction with what has been done so far after the establishment of the new Ministry of Sports and emphasized that sports will be one of the main priorities of the Government
– We will do our best together with you athletes and sports workers in the future to make Macedonia and Macedonian citizens proud of your achievements again. For the first time after independence, we established the Ministry of Sports, an institution that will exclusively take care of sports and athletes. We are in daily communication with the Minister Borko Ristovski and we discuss daily what more needs to be done for you athletes to have opportunities to train here at home, to be able to upgrade yourself and to be able to represent Macedonia as dignified as possible. After the first months of the constitution of this institution, I can say that I am really satisfied with everything we have done so far. But I also promise that together with you in the period to come we will do even more – said Mickoski.
Winners by category:
– Sportsman of the year: Boban Ilioski (kickboxing)
– Sportswoman of the year: Milijana Reljic (taekwondo)
– Most successful young athlete: Silvio Mirovski (kickboxing)
– The most successful young athlete: Iva Mladenovska (handball)
– The most successful female national team: Handball national team of Macedonia – senior women
– Most successful men’s national team: Handball representation of Macedonia – seniors
– The most successful coach/selector: Kiril Lazarov (handball)
– The most successful national sports federation: Macedonian Taekwondo Federation
– The most successful athlete with a disability: Olivera Nakovska Bikova (archery)
– The most successful sports team from the Universities: The men’s basketball team of the University “St. Cyril and Methodius” – Skopje
– The most successful school sports club from secondary schools: Secondary School “Jane Sandanski” – Strumica
– The most successful school sports club from primary schools: OOU “Gjorgija Pulevski” – Skopje
At this year’s jubilee 70th edition of the “Sportsman of the Year 2024” selection, two special recognitions were awarded for outstanding results and a special contribution to the promotion of Macedonian sports.
Prominent Macedonian handball referees Gjorgji Nachevski and Slave Nikolov received a plaque as worthy representatives of Macedonia on the international stage, at the Olympic Games, European and World Championships and club handball competitions of the highest rank.
The European vice-champion from the European Taekwondo Championship for cadets, Teodor Stojanovski, received a plaque as the discovery of the year young athlete – cadet.
The event “Sportsman of the Year 2024” was organized by the Ministry of Sports and the Union of Sports Federations of Macedonia, and the selection of the best for 2024 was made according to the votes of national sports federations and sports journalists.
The most successful teams in school and university sports are selected by the decision of the Federation for School Sports of Macedonia and the University Sports Federation of Macedonia.
