PHOTOS: Donna Vekić opens first free clay tennis court for everyone in Osijek
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
After the opening of the first public tennis court with a grass surface, the Croatian city of Osijek got its second public court, this time with a clay surface.
The court is is located in Jugo II, next to the Grigor Vitez Elementary School, and is available to everyone, free of charge.
Osijek is the only Croatian city that has public tennis courts and citizens, especially children and young people, can use them for free.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
The construction of the court was initiated by professional Croatian tennis player Donna Vekić, and the project worth slightly more than HRK 430,000 was realised under the auspices of the City of Osijek and Osijek-Baranja County.
At the opening of the court this week, Osijek Mayor Ivan Radić pointed out that its greatest value is that it will be free for the citizens of Osijek, primarily for children and young people.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
“This is a unique example in the world and I am sure that we will continue to develop this commendable story. The city supported her with HRK 200.00. The first tennis court at Bosutski is always full, and this one at Jugo II will surely be as well. The goal is for as many young people as possible to play sports, and if we are lucky, maybe we will get a new Donna Vekić,” the mayor said.
The mayor added that Osijek continuously invests in sports and sports infrastructure and that it is the only big city in Croatia that offers scholarships to gifted young athletes of the 5th and 6th categories.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
Donna Vekić expressed her happiness and satisfaction at the opening of another court and thanked her family, the City and the County for their support.
“With this court, we will give the children the opportunity to play sports, I hope they will fall in love with tennis like I did,” said Donna.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
The deputy prefect of Osijek-Baranja, Josip Miletić, pointed out that Osijek-Baranja County will have he European Region of Sports title in 2024 and assessed that this will contribute to the additional development of sports infrastructure, as well as encouraging young people to play sports.
