The “Nikola Zenović – 2025” International Memorial Tournament, marking its tenth edition, will officially kick off tomorrow (May 23rd) at 18:00 at the Mediterranean Sports Center in Budva, featuring 14 teams—nine men’s and five women’s.

“As is tradition for this jubilee edition, volleyball veterans from nearly all the republics, now independent states, of the former Yugoslavia will converge in Budva. This renowned volleyball tournament for veterans in this region, held in tribute to Nikola Niko Zenović, will bring together 14 teams this year, including players from Belgrade, Rijeka, Kraljevo, Vranje, Niš, Cetinje, Podgorica…” stated the organizers.

The inaugural memorial tournament, organized by Nikola’s friends in his memory in 2014, saw the participation of Sarajevo’s Bosna, the former Yugoslav champion.

“The following year, on the courts of the Mediterranean Sports Center, Zagreb’s Mladost, the most decorated volleyball club in the former Yugoslavia, took to the field. Since 2016, veteran volleyball athletes from clubs spanning from Skopje to Belgrade and Zagreb have participated. The championship trophy has found its way into the hands of former Olympic, world, and European medalists. Over 120 volleyball teams and more than 1,200 players have participated in the past nine tournaments, including Olympic, world, and European medalists, as well as multiple champions of the former Yugoslavia,” the organizers reported.

As they emphasize, many attendees at the Budva tournaments have limited knowledge of Nikola’s playing career.

“They are familiar with the story of a volleyball enthusiast whose career started and ended in the lowest ranks, participating in the republican league. Yet, the true legends of the sport, now in their later years, could only be united by a person like the late Nikola, who was cherished and respected wherever he went. All conditions are in place for the Nikola Niko Zenović Memorial Tournament to become a key part of Budva’s tourism offerings, and potentially Montenegro’s as well. This event should feature prominently in promotional materials from tourist and hotel organizations in Budva. This approach will further strengthen the importance of its existence and traditional holding. The tournament’s opening ceremony is set for Friday, May 23, at 18:00 in the Mediterranean Sports Center hall, with the final matches scheduled for Sunday, May 25,” the organizers concluded.

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