Inclusion in Action – Third Sports Camp for Children with Disabilities

Representatives of the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation visited today the first group of participants attending the Sports and Rehabilitation Camp for Children with Disabilities, organized in cooperation with the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities (SSOSIB) at the Red Cross Recreation Center in Bogovađa.

The camp is one of the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation’s flagship humanitarian initiatives. It is designed for children with disabilities, providing them with opportunities to develop greater independence, improve their physical abilities, and gain new experiences through sports activities, rehabilitation, social interaction, and participation in an inclusive environment.

Darko Habuš, Director of the Belgrade Marathon, emphasized that this program is one of the finest examples of how sport can serve as a powerful driver of social inclusion and community solidarity.

“We are especially proud that, thanks to the support of our runners and the wider community, we have been able to organize three camp sessions for the first time this year. This means that a significantly larger number of children will have the opportunity to spend several days in an environment that promotes their rehabilitation, independence, and social inclusion. For the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation, this is not a one-time initiative, but a long-term commitment to creating equal opportunities for everyone through the power of sport,” said Habuš.

The camp was also visited by Milan Antonijević, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, and Dragana Cvijić, former captain of the Serbian women’s national handball team. Together with representatives of the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation, they met with the participants and expressed their support for the activities carried out at the camp.

Cvijić, a bronze medalist at the 2013 World Championship and a two-time EHF Champions League winner, expressed her great satisfaction at being part of this humanitarian initiative:

“I’m truly happy to be here today with these wonderful children. People often say that I should be a role model for them, but the truth is that they are the ones who inspire me with their smiles and determination despite all the challenges they face. I’m delighted that they have the opportunity to spend time in this beautiful natural setting, and I’m equally happy for their parents, who finally have a chance to take a little time for themselves. While today is dedicated to handball, if you ask me, it is really dedicated to these children and their incredible strength and unwavering spirit,” said Dragana Cvijić.

This year’s program marks a significant milestone, as the Foundation is organizing three summer camp sessions for the first time, each hosting 50 participants, including children with disabilities, professional staff from the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities, and accompanying caregivers. In total, 150 participants will spend part of the summer in Bogovađa, taking part in a comprehensive program of rehabilitation, sports, and recreational activities.

During their visit, representatives of the Foundation and their guests met with the children, coaches, and professional staff, learned more about the camp’s activities, and witnessed firsthand the positive impact this program has on the children and their families.

This year’s program was made possible through donations raised during the Belgrade Marathon. Funds were collected through the Foundation’s “Hero Runner” initiative, in which marathon participants raised donations to support the Foundation’s work, as well as through the “SMS for a Kilometer” campaign via the Foundation’s humanitarian SMS number, 3023. Thanks to the generosity of runners, partners, and members of the public, sufficient funds were raised to make this year’s rehabilitation and recreational camp program a reality.

Through this project, the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation continues to expand its social responsibility initiatives, demonstrating that sporting events can create a lasting social impact. By bringing together institutions, athletes, companies, and the wider community, the Foundation is helping create new opportunities for children with disabilities.