“The state does not invest enough in sports, infrastructure or people who are involved in sports in one way or another. Investing in sports means investing in our children and that’s the most lucrative investment ever,” Lino said, adding that that included the parents of young athletes as well, seeing as they played a huge role in their children’s careers. Valentino Ravnić, PPD Zagreb player, agreed with him, saying that his parents played a major role in his career. They encouraged him to play handball, especially during puberty when there had been a chance that he would stop doing sports altogether. Just how far the state’s indifference towards sports goes, both Anto Joskić and Daria Obratov showed by talking about their own examples.
The luger who represented Croatia in the Olympic Games said she got more support from other countries than she did from Croatia.
“I am my own coach, psychologist, masseur, and logistician. I had always dreamed of competing in the Olympics and I managed to make that dream come true, even though I did not see a luge track until after I had injured my knee and had been forced to give up handball. It was then that I decided to become a luger,” Daria explained. Her fellow athlete Anto, Croatia’s highest-ranked wheelchair tennis player, has had a similar experience. He began playing tennis as a young boy because of Goran Ivanišević. Even though it has been very difficult for him to find sponsors and coaches, and the state provides him with minimum help, he has been improving constantly.
“I have always loved sports and this love is my main driving force. Although it can be hard sometimes, I will never give up,” Anto said, and Lino added that to achieve a top result, there was no other way but to constantly work hard.
Lino has been enjoying Umag for a few days now. He complimented the ATP tournament by saying it provided its guests with a unique experience.
“This is an event that you look forward to all year long, a fantastic showing of sports, entertainment and gastronomy, gathering multiple generations and nations. The ATP tournament embodies the best that sports promote: togetherness and friendship,” Lino concluded.
