Thanks to the established cooperation between Faculty of Physical Culture and University of Sarajevo (financially supported by the Erasmus International Credit Mobility Project), four representatives of the Faculty of Physical Culture (FTK) had the unique opportunity to spend five intense and unforgettable days at the Bjelašnica ski resort near Sarajevo, the host city of the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. A place with such a strong sporting legacy became, for a few days, a space for courage, joy, and true inclusion.
This initiative did not happen by chance. It was born thanks to the long-term dedication and personal commitment of lecturers from the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education at the University of Sarajevo, Dr. Denis Čaušević and Slobodan Klačar. They have been consistently working to ensure that inclusion in sport is not just a vision, but a lived reality. Their energy, persistence, and belief in the mission were the driving force behind the project.
During their visit, the FTK representatives held a number of inspiring meetings with faculty members, university leadership, and representatives of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Sarajevo. The discussions confirmed that international cooperation can lead to tangible and long-term changes in the field of adapted physical activities and inclusive sport.
Each day, the FTK team worked directly at Bjelašnica, teaching children and young people with disabilities from the organization Dajte nam šansu how to ski. For many of them, it was their very first experience on snow as skiers. Hesitant beginnings soon turned into laughter, excitement, and pride in the eyes of both the children and their parents. Emotions that are difficult to put into words, yet remain deeply within the participants’ memories.
The FTK team was also able to share this extraordinary experience with parents, organization staff, employees of the Czech Embassy, and lecturers from the University of Sarajevo. An important part of the program was the intensive training of local ski instructors and resort staff to ensure they can independently continue developing inclusive ski instruction in the future.
As Lucie Ješinová, one of the FTK team members, later described, “The entire week was powerful, human, and deeply inspiring. It reminded us why our work truly matters. We are truly grateful to have been part of this meaningful and impactful initiative.” Lucie also highlighted that the team was especially pleased that the purchase of specialized equipment for skiing for people with disabilities has already been pledged in Bosnia and Herzegovina, enabling further development of the program and the involvement of even more participants.
The experience further strengthened the cooperation between the Faculty of Physical Culture and the University of Sarajevo and opened new possibilities for future collaboration in the field of adapted physical activities and inclusive sport. At its core, the initiative quickly turned into a powerful reminder of the true value of sport. Smiles on the slopes of Bjelašnica showed that when barriers are removed, sport becomes a space where everyone can belong.
