The women’s handball club Budućnost is facing closure, as indicated by the club’s executive director and renowned Montenegrin handball player, Maja Bulatović, in her recent interview with “Dan”.

Just days ago, the general sponsor, “Bemax”, withdrew support, leaving Budućnost in a dire predicament.

“As of today, the club will shut down. Sadly, this is neither the first nor the last occurrence; it is the fate that awaits us. We lost our primary sponsor merely ten days before the team was set to gather for the new season, putting the club in a precarious position. The challenges are substantial, and in the past week, we have tried to reduce costs and terminate contracts because we simply cannot afford to fulfill any obligations for the first part in Jahorina (with only 50 percent of the funds paid). We have registered for tournaments and purchased plane tickets. ‘Bemax’ covered the expenses last season, but we still have outstanding debts for the sixth and seventh months, including rent, tickets, and payments to incoming players,” stated Maja Bulatović to “Dan”.

In the meantime, Russian player Valeria Kirdyasheva, who joined the club last December and was the third signing for the upcoming season, has already departed the team, recently signing with Romanian club Gloria.

“Currently, annexes to contracts are being prepared so that we can exit without penalties and freely seek new opportunities. I’m uncertain how we will manage this. The players who were expected to join need to be informed that they are no longer with the club, and they too are free to pursue new ventures. It’s straightforward; the club is closing down. There are private individuals working within the club. We had to re-register the club to meet the previous Minister Nikola Janović’s requirement for registration, but we lack financial resources. From what I know, ‘Bemax’ did not agree to the municipality owning 51 percent. For us, the municipality can own 100 percent,” Bulatović added.

Previously, due to a similar situation, the EHF excluded Vardar from the Champions League.

“It’s quite complicated. Contracts established by ‘Bemax’, specifically those arranged by manager Katarina Bulatović and coach Bojana Popović, which formed the team, need to be dissolved. Additionally, I believe Milena Raičević knew she was entering a legal dispute. I am unsure whether Budućnost will be expelled from the Champions League due to the debt, whether they will compete in the Montenegrin league, or who will oversee the club at this point. We have obligations to settle from previous months that must be fulfilled. I know who will handle that, but I’m not a financial expert,” concluded Maja Bulatović in her interview with “Dan”.

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