President of the Republic Zoran Milanović received a delegation from the Association of the World Roma Organisation in the Fight Against Discrimination, Racism and Poverty, which included members of NK Parag from Međimurje. The meeting discussed the position of Roma in Croatia, their integration through sport and the challenges faced by the footballers from the Međimurje club.
Association president Toti Dedić presented projects aimed at connecting children and young people from different national, religious and social groups. He particularly highlighted children's sports camps intended for girls and boys, members of national minorities, aged eight to 18. So far, 31 camps have been organised across Croatia, and the initiative was recognised by UEFA in 2017, which included the camps among the best sports projects for young people in Europe. The association also participates in the activities of the European network FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe), which advocates for the suppression of racism and other forms of discrimination in football and sport.
NK Parag from Međimurje, founded in 2010, was highlighted as an example of Roma integration through sport. The club competes in the Third Football League of the Croatian Football Federation in Međimurje County, and its members pointed out the problems they face. One of the biggest challenges is the fact that they do not have their own football pitch.
The meeting also discussed the general position of the Roma community in Croatia. It was noted that there are improvements, but that changes are progressing slowly. As a positive example, the increasing inclusion of Roma children in education and the fact that more of them are completing their schooling were cited. Football tournaments, it was concluded, promote togetherness, mutual respect and cooperation regardless of national, cultural and religious differences.
The delegation included regular professor at the Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, Marijeta Rajković Iveta, association vice-president Rehat Ristemi, association advisor Nikola Kriković, and members Damir Azizi and Andrej Schilling. Međimurje NK Parag was represented by Vjeran Balog, Božo Ignac, Vlado Oršuš, Alen Oršuš, Davor Oršuš, Karlo Kalanjoš, Milan Oršoš and Krešo Tomić. Alongside President of the Republic Zoran Milanović, his commissioner for sport Tomislav Paškvalin was also present at the meeting.
The association has been active since 2009 in suppressing racism and improving the position of Roma in society.
