June 15-19, 2026, PAZIN - As has become a beloved tradition following the end of the school year, the Krešimir Ćosić Days Sports Association in partnership with KK Pazin, Pazinsport, the Vladimir Nazor Primary School Pazin, and Valamar Valresco, hosted its annual basketball camp for the youngest generation. Preschoolers and lower-grade primary school pupils took part.
The five days of the fifth anniversary Krešo Camp passed in the blink of an eye. Under the guidance of licensed coaches Damir, Luana, and Leon, the young players trained intensively while their parents were at work. They were assisted by junior demonstrators, Pazin's pre-cadet players Josip, Juraj, Ivan, Vito, Dominik, and Nino. Three courts kept everyone busy until the morning snack break, all focused on learning and developing the fundamentals of basketball.
With a remarkable level of concentration, the children listened to Krešo's life lessons from a work book written by his daughter Ana, president of the association — and watched a documentary about Krešo - A Man Ahead of His Time.
Of course, the most eagerly anticipated moment was always the full-court game. The traditional crowd-pleaser, the pre-cadet match-up, reinforced this year by fearless young Luka, ignited a passionate atmosphere in the gym as the younger children cheered on their older teammates with full voice.
The camp's special guests were: Ivana Dojkić, one of Europe's finest basketball players, who arrived in true generous spirit and brought equipment for the older Pazin players; the legendary Nikola Plećaš "Saint Nick" a member of the golden 1970 Ljubljana generation, when a "basketball pandemic" first swept through this part of Europe; and the legendary Istrian national team player Mladen Mohorović. In conversation with the legends, the children asked questions ranging from the serious to the delightfully absurd.
Every participant deserves praise for their effort, conduct, and contribution to the camp. But a special mention goes to the preschoolers: Matej, who broke his arm two days before the camp but refused to miss it; Toma, in perpetual spinning motion yet somehow always within bounds; Tina, whose basketball instincts seem two years ahead of his age, much like the wiry Ivano; Marija, who had her difficult moments but honoured Krešo's principle of never giving up; Pero, who missed his sick brother Tobij but had his older sister Marija by his side; and Bruno, whose razor-sharp memory fires off all five of Krešo's basketball principles like a cannon.
Not one girl or boy complained of tiredness, and all expressed tremendous enthusiasm for the free camp, as did their parents. For the Krešimir Ćosić Days Association and Basketball Club Pazin, that is the only result that truly matters.
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