Željko Banić Joins Executive Board of Croatian Olympic Committee

Željko Banić, President of the Croatian SAMBO Federation, has been elected to the Executive Board of the Croatian Olympic Committee. The decision marks a landmark moment for both the national and international SAMBO community.

The election took place on Wednesday, 29 July, in Zagreb during the Extraordinary Electoral Assembly of the HOO. The Assembly brought significant change to Croatian sports governance, with Dr Josip Varvodić elected as the new HOO President, succeeding long-serving president Zlatko Mateša.

What gives this development particular historical weight is that a SAMBO representative has, for the first time, joined the supreme governing body of a national Olympic committee. The Executive Board, traditionally made up of representatives from the biggest Olympic sports, now brings SAMBO together with established national sporting giants such as football, basketball, handball and water polo.

“This election represents significant institutional recognition of SAMBO's dynamic development, its professionalization and its growing standing within the global Olympic movement. Željko Banić's inclusion in the supreme executive body of Croatian sport gives the Croatian SAMBO Federation a strong platform to advocate for the sport, develop infrastructure and secure strategic support for young athletes,” the Croatian SAMBO Federation said in a statement.

The head of the national federation also commented on the news.

“This is an extraordinary honor, not only for me personally, but for our entire federation, our coaches and our athletes, who have worked tirelessly to raise the profile of SAMBO," said Željko Banić. "The fact that SAMBO is recognized and represented at the same table as Croatia's leading Olympic disciplines proves that hard work, clear vision and dedication can bridge the gap between emerging combat sports and established Olympic disciplines. We look forward to contributing to the development of all sports in Croatia, while continuing to raise SAMBO to new heights.”