OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW COMPETITIVE SEASON OF THE ROWING CLUB “CRVENA ZVEZDA”

Belgrade, 24 March 2005 – HRH Crown Prince Alexander II accompanied by members of the Advisory Bodies of The Crown: Mr. Dragomir Acovic, Mr. Djordje Djurisic, and Prof. Dr Miroslav Gasic visited today the Rowing Club “Crvena Zvezda”, at Ada Ciganlia, Belgrade.

The Crown Prince and members of the Advisory Bodies of The Crown were warmly welcomed by Prof. Dr Dragoljub Kavran with his closest associates: Mrs. Dusica Zivanovic, Director and Mr. Vladan Kovacevic, President of the Managing Board of the Rowing Club “Crvena Zvezda”, and the members of the Club.

During the brief press conference held an the Club, on the occasion of the opening of the new competitive season, new projects for city planning for the development of the part of Ada Ciganlia where the Rowing Club “Crvena Zvezda” is situated were presented. The plan anticipates the construction of a modern gym, tennis courts and other auxiliary facilities for all admirers of Ada Ciganlija and the untouched nature in the heart of Belgrade. Special attention is being paid to the further development of the favorite part of this project: the kindergarten “More than a game”. This is the first sports kindergarten in which over 60 little children are staying everyday, and who are being guided towards sports and a healthy way of life from an early age.

Greeting the present in his addressing, The Crown Prince pointed out that he is very happy that he was able to visit to the Rowing Club “Crvena Zvezda”; this club has been under the patronage of his grandmother Queen Maria since 1929, and today he continues the tradition of patronage of the sports club with the largest number of trophies.

“Today we officially opened the new competitive season and I hope that at the same time this will be the start of the preparations for the Olympic Games in China. We have to be ready and present ourselves in the best possible way at the sports competitions” – emphasized The Crown Prince, who is also a great fan of sports.

Prof. Dr Dragoljub Kavran thanked The Crown Prince for his great support to the affirmation of the rowing sport and pointed out that this is also the best way to celebrate 22 March, World Day of Water.

In the continuation of the visit to the rowing Club “Crvena Zvezda”, The Crown Prince visited the little children in the kindergarten “More than a game” and spent time in a warm-hearted chat with members of the Club.