Balkans a hotspot for star-studded summer camps

Balkans a hotspot for star-studded summer camps

Hundreds of aspiring youngsters took part at a number of handball camps using the summer to develop their skills or just enjoy time meeting their idols while playing their favourite sport.

Furthermore, the appeal of the handball camps has never been greater, as many stars chose to dedicate at least a few days of their well-earned holidays to take part and support their friends, teammates or compatriots in their cause.

Following the handball activities throughout the summer, ehfcl.com brings you closer to the action from Ohrid in FYR Macedonia and Goc in Serbia.

Andrea’s youngsters take over Ohrid

For the third year in succession, Andrea Lekic summer camp brought 70 participants from 12 countries to a seven-day handball festival, this time in Ohrid.

Alongside the majority of the kids from the former Yugoslav countries, a number of participants from Iceland and even one from Belgium took part this year, as the camp continues to gain a more international profile.

The participating girls aged 11 to 17 took part in a week-long, twice a day training regime assembled by a group of experts working with Europe’s top athletes.

Moreover, the participants had a chance to train alongside not only Andrea Lekic who actively took part and oversaw every single minute over the duration of the camp, but also Sanja Damnjanovic, Katarina Tomasevic and Robertina Mecevska, who joined in support of Andrea’s cause.

“It is an utmost pleasure watching the kids relish every chance to learn from you; placing so much emphasis into everything you say and show to them.

“Their joy, willingness and creativity and energy is the most wonderful thing in the world.

“Seeing their teary eyes as the camp draws to a close, when everything is over and done, is an incredible feeling. As long as that is the case, we will do it again and again, year after year,” said Lekic.

The camp did not only include handball related activities, but a rather diverse offering - from field trips, cruising and bathing in Ohrid lake to socialising with the aforementioned stars, during the “Handball day” organised in the town.

The “Handball day” was a festivity for itself. Grouping mini handball for the youngest with the coordination, speed and flexibility excerizes for the more aspiring camp goers, it was in fact a celebration of youth and enthusiasm that brought them all to Ohrid.

Finally, by the end of the day, everyone had a chance to test their penalty taking skills in downtown Ohrid, with none other than the Serbian star Katarina Tomasevic in goal.

Kiro’s investment in youth

Taking a short break from duties at her own, Andrea took time to visit another handball camp going on in Ohrid – the one organised and held by Kiril Lazarov.

The Barcelona star had his baptism of fire, as his camp successfully premiered this summer, while friends and colleagues were eager to support the legendary player in his new project – Handball Camp Kiril Lazarov 7.

"This camp is probably the best investment I've ever made in sports, or in any other area, because it's an investment in the youth.

"I will dedicate my time to spread my knowledge and experience, accumulated during my entire career to the young handball players in my native Macedonia," said Lazarov on his official website.

Obviously, bearing the name of the VELUX EHF Champions League All-star right back Lazarov, the camp was going to have an initial appeal to the aspiring sharpshooters who idolise Kiro’s backcourt prowess.

However, wing players, pivots, and even goalkeepers had all the reasons to join, as the guests included a great variety of Kiro’s handballing friends.

Some well-known names were present such as line player Stojance Stoilov, wings Dejan Manaskov and Timur Dibirov, as well as Macedonian goalkeeper stalwart Borko Ristovski.

The four HC Vardar stars took part in camp activities like and were present and active in trainings, happy to show the youngsters aged 10 to 17 the basics, as well as secrets of the trade.

Ratko Nikolic camp boasting big-name guest list

Just when you would think nothing could top the guest list boasting key players from Europe’s top flight, former Serbian national team captain Ratko Nikolic created a handball camp backed by some of the greatest handball names past and present.

The second year of Ratko’s engagement in developing youth handball saw kids line up in the scenic surroundings of Goc mountain in Serbia to learn from the best.

Many big names in handball, as well as some of the locally known ones took time to catch up with Ratko and his friends over the 21 days in which the camp spanned.

Sanja Damnjanovic, Barbara Lazovic, Danijel Saric, Ivan Nikcevic, Slavko Goluza, Ivano Balic, Arpad Sterbik and Veselin Vujovic were among the supporters of the camp and readily available to take pictures or give autographs to the kids.

Many of the stars were on their season breaks, and used the opportunity to catch up, while some were actively taking part in the activities, while the retired Serbian star right wing Zikica Milosavljevic tried his hand in coaching.