The WTA tournament team donated five thousand euros to the Parasports Association of Split-Dalmatia County and announced a new humanitarian initiative at the next edition, which will be held in the town under Biokovo from June 2 to 8.
Ahead of the Easter holidays, the WTA Makarska Open team donated five thousand euros to their colleagues, paraathletes gathered in the Parasports Association of Split-Dalmatia County. The donation was presented in an emotional atmosphere of sports enthusiasts at the Fermai Hotel in Split, with the support of Blaženko Boban, the Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County.
"The most beautiful and healthiest synergy is that between sport, humanity and nobility. It is nice to see that the organizer of the largest tennis tournament in Croatia, Feliks Lukas, and his team, are handing over financial resources to the Parasports Association of the Split-Dalmatia County, because they really need help. These are enthusiasts who, above all, invest their free time, get involved, work as volunteers and take care primarily of children, but also of those who really need it the most, of those who need us as a community. This donation is commendable, and we will see you again this year at the tournament in Makarska, which is a great promotion for Croatia, and especially for the Split-Dalmatia County," said the Split-Dalmatia County Prefect.
Great results for the Paralympians of Split-Dalmatia County
The Secretary General of the Parasports Association of Split-Dalmatia County, Miro Renić, also thanked the WTA tournament team for the valuable donation, emphasizing that the funds will be directed towards improving the conditions for training and competitions for athletes with disabilities.
"This donation means a lot to us because it enables the purchase of much-needed equipment and the maintenance of programs that promote inclusion through sports. We continue with activities that enable people with disabilities to realize their full potential. Thanks to initiatives like these, the work of our athletes becomes more visible, and the conditions are significantly better," said Renić.
The President of the Parasports Association of Split-Dalmatia County, Roberto Zidar, emphasized that the progress in parasports in the past ten years has been truly enormous, and donations from the private sector or other sports clubs are especially welcome.
"They not only help, but also additionally motivate and give the feeling that the community recognizes and supports us. Recently, at the HPO assembly, we heard that only three counties in Croatia have Paralympians and gold medalists - Bjelovar-Bilogora, Zagreb and, of course, Split-Dalmatia. This is not only a reflection of our famous sports tradition, but also the result of concrete investments in parasports, which is developing rapidly because of this," said Zidar.
Vice President of the Split-Dalmatia County Parasports Association Mijo Bakić, recalled the great cooperation of paratennis player Sven Maretić with the WTA Makarska Open.
"Sven, along with his fellow paratennis player, also a Croatian national team member Ante Kolundjija, did not miss a single sporting event organized by the director of the WTA Makarska Open, Feliks Lukas. The inclusion of athletes with disabilities is key to creating a society of equal opportunities, in which everyone has the opportunity to participate in sports and achieve their full potential," said Bakić.
The new edition of the WTA Makarska Open, a new humanitarian initiative
"The donation to our dear friends, para-athletes, is part of our mission to support the wider local community and their projects. The WTA Makarska Open is a tournament that not only contributes to the promotion of sports, but also to the strengthening of the community in which we operate. Sport has a huge power to connect and inspire, and through such initiatives we strive to contribute to creating equal opportunities for all. I am convinced that with joint efforts we can make positive changes in society. In this way, we wanted to additionally promote the Para-Sports Association and recognize the exceptional efforts and work of its members," said Feliks Lukas.
It is through the joint efforts of the tournament team, players and audience that an environment is created in which sport is not just a competition, but also a platform for altruism and humanitarian action. The new edition of the WTA Makarska Open with a new humanitarian initiative will be held from June 2 to 8. This year, funds are being raised for the Father Petar Perica Elementary School in Makarska. Participate in the humanitarian initiative by purchasing a ticket and become part of a great sports and entertainment spectacle.
Split, April 16, 2025.
Photo Bogdan Klarić (source WTA Makarska Open 2024)
