30 teams from 12 countries are participating in the championship, which is held as part of the “Day of the City of Konjic”, and last night the visitors had the opportunity to watch the parade of teams in boats down the Neretva river near Kamena ćuprija.

The Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nermin Nikšić, welcomed everyone to Konjic.

“I am sure that all my fellow citizens, as well as the organizers and the mayor, will show the wide heart of the people of Konjic and do everything to make you feel at home in Konjic.” Once you meet our green beauty Neretva, you will never forget it and you will definitely keep coming back. We will do our best to show not only our tourist offers and natural beauty, but also our gastronomic offer and to show you how much we love our beautiful Neretva and how much we care about what we have here,” – said Prime Minister Nikšić.

The mayor of Konjic, Osman Ćatić, greeted all participants, guests and visitors with suitable words, saying that it is a great pleasure to host the European Rafting Championship in Konjic.

“I am honored and pleased that a competition is being held in our city, where the best rafting teams from all over Europe will perform, and that in the days leading up to Konjic City Day on June 16, our streets and our Neretva will be filled with Europe’s best athletes, who will compete in rafting, which is a kind of tourism brand of Konjic. I can proudly say that the City of Konjic supports all positive stories that contribute to the development of our Konjic and our homeland BiH, which I consider this competition to be. Although we from Konjic like to say that we are the best in rafting, let the best win in this competition, which I hope will be held in a sporting spirit. Once again, I welcome all competitors and guests to Konjic, a city of noble and good people, with the hope that you will remember this stay in our city as a pleasant gathering, during which you made friends and to which you will return again,”  – said Mayor Ćatić.

Boris Purjakov, vice president of the World Rafting Federation, said in his address that last nigth event is a historic moment of the European Rafting Championship in Konjic.

“The organization of the race is at the world level, and the Neretva, with its natural beauty, is a unique pearl of this area. I was particularly impressed by the night track, which is really beautiful and gives a completely new dimension to the whole event. I wish everyone a successful competition and I hope for the tradition of establishing the competition organization on the Neretva” – said Purjakov.

Even Samir Krivić, director of the European Rafting Championship in Konjic, did not hide his happiness and satisfaction at the successful organization of the competition.

“Our city and the Neretva River really deserve to be high on the scale of the world rafting story. This is a fact and we have proven it,”  – said Krivić.

Teams from: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Italy, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina (which will have two teams from Konjic and Zenica) will participate in the European Rafting Championship. The championship lasts until June 15, and three races will be held: Slalom, RX and Downhill, as well as night races.

Last night ceremony ended with fireworks over the Konjic Old bridge.

Text source: Radio Konjic, https://radiokonjic.ba/u-konjicu-svecano-otvoreno-evropsko-rafting-prvenstvo/

Photo source: City of Konjic official fb page