It is not unusual to hear that children from Savremena have qualified for a sporting event. This time, Savremena’s seventh- and eighth-grade students faced rather powerful opponents at the Municipal Basketball Championship in New Belgrade.

The most important thing to note is how strong the sporting friendship and team spirit are among Belgrade’s older primary school students. They know each other well and they often compete at municipal, city and, later, national level. The winners are not always the same, but there is no doubt that they are all truly talented for, as they like to call it, a fine basketball game.

WE GAVE OUR BEST AND PLACED QUITE A FEW BALLS IN THE OPPONENT’S BASKET

Savremena’s seventh- and eighth-graders returned from the Municipal Competition in New Belgrade with a winning spirit, as they accomplished the most important objective of any game – they strengthened their friendship and showed what true team spirit looks like. The game itself was quite exciting and the winner was uncertain until the very end. Finally, the result was on the opponent’s side, and the seventh- and eighth-graders from New Belgrade’s primary school “Borislav Pekić” were victorious.

Perhaps this was yet another in a series of hard and uncertain games, but more importantly, it was also an important life lesson, of the kind that strengthens the children’s character and inspires them to aim even higher in future games. This was our team’s first municipal championship and they ought to be sincerely congratulated on reaching this level. It is well known how much passion and good cheer fill the games at the court in Primary School Savremena’s yard.

Fair play, teamwork, tolerance and optimism were with our team throughout the competition. Not for a minute did Savremena’s young players let one another get discouraged, retreat or give up. The love they have for sport and the abundance of empathy at Savremena made sure that fellow players would lift each other’s spirits regardless of the result. We are proud because they exhibited a true sporting spirit.

Bravo and thank you, our little basketball players!

BASKETBALL BUILDS STAMINA, IMPROVES PRECISION AND HELPS DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS

Basketball is considered a great sport for children, as its objectives include an increase in mental and physical stamina and focus. Running, jumping, dribbling, presence and constant awareness of the court help develop children’s motor skills. These activities help children concentrate in class and follow several things at the same time. Senses develop in a fully natural way.

Playing basketball, children improve the control of their hands. Shooting from three metres away requires a lot of precision. In addition to physical precision, children develop initiative and the need to be attentive to detail and precise in studying and in other school activities, too. Additionally, children who start playing basketball at a young age learn how to behave in a team setting and how to encourage their team members regardless of the result. Winning or losing, they are always a team, learning to understand one another and take responsibility together, which will certainly be useful in each and every aspect of their lives.

Savremena is fully attentive when it comes to adopting healthy habits and educating children about the importance of physical activity. We are sure that our achievements in that regard will continue on a high level.

So, thank you, dear friends, for cheering each other up so nicely, and for your sportspersonship.