SPORTING PEDIGREE

History is littered with references to a small country that has ever so quietly made its mark on the world. It is these references to ideas, theories and inventions that have put the Croatian people on the map. From the first working parachute by Faust Vrancic, to the invention of the self propelled torpedo (Ivan Lupis) and forensic finger printing (Ivan Vucetic). And who could imagine what modern day life would be like had Nikola Tesla not realised the AC current, and Penkala net invented the fountain pen or had the neck ties of the Royal cravates regiment of 1667 not been replicated to become part of every man's wardrobe worldwide.

There is another area where Croatia has become synonymous with success, the sporting arena. Sporting records will show that never has such a small country produced such high calibre athletes. What would the sporting world resemble without the likes of Drazen Petkovic (basketball), Janica Kostelic (alpine skiing) or Joe Sakic (ice hockey), all of whom were arguably the best athletes in there respective sports of all time. This makes quiet an impressive list already until you consider Goran Ivanisevic, Toni Kukoc, Roger Maris, Frano Botica and realise you are still only scratching the surface. All this and we have not even mentioned the countless high quality footballers littered thoughout Europe from Josip Skoblar and Drazen Jerkovic, to more recently the likes of Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki and Davor Suker.

Ever since the first Croatian migrants made the long journey to Australia in the 19th century, Croatians have been active participants and great contributors to Australian society. Whilst embracing their new home, the Croatian community has maintained its rich culture and traditions. Croatian Australians such as Andrew Bogut, Glen Jakovich, Bernard Tomic, Dean Lukin and Bob Mirovic have had a great impact on Australia's sporting landscape. Arguably however, Croatian Australians, have made their greatest mark on the football field with players such as Mark Viduka, Josip Simunic, Mark Bosnich and Tony Popovic, not to mention the 40 other footballers of Croatian heritage that have represented Australia.

Today the opportunity exists for Croatians Worldwide to come together and pit their sporting skills against each other at the Croatian World Games. Athletes of Croatian origin from all over the globe will come together to represent their countries in a mini Olympiad to be held in Zadar in 2010. The Croatian World Games is a continuation of these sporting traditions, which will hopefully make way for a new generation of Australian Croatian sporting champions.

A Croatian World Games (Australia) National Organising Committee has been established to promote the Croatian World Games, and to encourage Croatian Australian participation.

Recent qualifiers in Adelaide have seen over 70 players selected to represent Austrlalia at the 2010 Croatian World Games in Zadar, Croatia. Five teams have already been established, with more players being sought to top up eight existing teams. Registrations are also sought for other sports, including new sporting disciplines that were recently added to the Games.

New players may register online by simply going to www.croatiasa.com or wwww.zadar2010.org

For sponsorship or any other information relating to the Croatia World Games, please contact Team Australia National Sponsorship Coordinator, Stipe Vidovic on 0402 204 959 or steven@blicmanagement.com

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