On Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Government of the Federation of BiH in Sarajevo, awards were presented to athletes, coaches, and clubs from the Federation of BiH for achieving top sports results in international competitions, as well as in non-Olympic sports, in accordance with the Regulation on Criteria for Awarding Prizes to Athletes, Sports Workers, and Sports Associations from the Federation of BiH, and the Decision on the Adoption of the Program for the Use of Funds with Criteria for the Distribution of Current Transfers determined by the Budget of the Federation of BiH for 2025.

The awards were presented by the Federal Minister of Culture and Sports, Sanja Vlaisavljević, and the Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nermin Nikšić.

Federal Minister of Culture and Sports Sanja Vlaisavljević, in her address, said she was happy on one hand and sad on the other, because there were so many athletes who won awards that not all of them could be included in this year’s budget, so their awards will be presented at the beginning of next year.

“I am happy that compared to last year we have even more of our athletes who managed to win the brightest medals and deservedly receive their awards. What also makes me happy is that Paralympians and our Special Olympics are finally on the podium that belongs to them, and that these wonderful people, despite all the challenges they face, have achieved the highest world results,” said Minister Vlaisavljević.

She emphasized that it is a wonderful sight to see the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina at major competitions and medals around the necks of BiH competitors, and expressed hope that the Regulation on Awarding Prizes will soon grow into a law. She also added that the injustice towards athletes in non-Olympic sports, regarding their recognition, has now been corrected.

Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH Nermin Nikšić thanked the athletes and their coaches for representing BiH at major international competitions and noted that the Government of the Federation of BiH is aware of their sacrifices, which is why it will always strive to reward their efforts.

“Athletes are the best ambassadors of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the world, and the state should reward your results. But since we live in a complicated system, it will be done by the Government of the Federation of BiH, which can and should do it. We are aware that this is just a drop in the ocean compared to your life-long sacrifices, but I believe that when you achieve a great result, all the bad falls into oblivion,” said Prime Minister Nikšić.

In this award cycle, prizes amounting to 594,750 KM were distributed. For outstanding results and contributions to the promotion of sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the second cycle of 2025 (from July to November 2025), 535,500 KM was awarded, with 70 athletes, one selector, 11 coaches, nine sports associations, and ten clubs receiving recognition.

Awards were also presented to athletes and coaches from the Federation of BiH who achieved notable results in international competitions in non-Olympic sports during the second cycle of 2025. Eight athletes and five coaches were awarded, with a total of 59,250 KM distributed.
This year, within the first and second award cycles for results achieved in Olympic and non-Olympic sports, nearly two million KM was allocated from the Budget of the Federation of BiH.