From June 6 to 8, 2025, Zadar became the largest open-air sports playground in Europe. The event "Krešimir Ćosić Days – Sport for a Stronger Me!" was held on Zadar's Peninsula (Poluotok) to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of Krešimir Ćosić, one of the greatest Croatian athletes of all time. The three-day event was organized by the Krešimir Ćosić Days Sports Association with the help of project partners (Vrapče Hospital, the Zadar National Museum, the Croatia for Children Foundation, the Croatian Handball Federation, KK Diadora, the Croatian Water Polo Federation, the Croatian Football Federation, the Croatian Volleyball Federation, and the Croatian Tennis Federation), under the patronage of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and with the support of the City of Zadar and the Zadar Tourist Board.
Program: sport, education, culture and entertainment
The program ran throughout the weekend at multiple locations across the city – from the Peninsula, the Riva, and Jazine to the Prince's Palace, Pet Bunara Square, and the Church of St. Donatus. The activities were organized across seven sports zones (basketball, football, handball, water polo, tennis, volleyball, and other sports), and the program also included:
Memorial basketball tournament "Remembering Krešimir Ćosić" CRO 3x3 Tour 2025 for younger age groups (U14, U16, U18) Concert "30 Years of the Legend of Krešo" on Zadar's Forum square (June 7, broadcast on HRT), featuring 11 musical segments retelling Krešo's life Exhibition "Works Are Eternal" on the Zadar Riva and an exhibition cycle on the history of Zadar sport at the Providur's and Prince's Palaces, organized by the Zadar National Museum Tourist tour "In the Footsteps of Young Krešo," including an English-language version Sports reading corner, presentation of the book "The Legend of Krešo," and a screening of an animated picture-book film about Krešo's life Workshops for children and parents on children's mental health Food & DJ zone and the "Krešo in America" prize quiz
All content was free of charge and open to the public.
In focus: the mental health of children and young people
A special and the most prominent part of the program was the educational campaign "Sport for a Stronger Me!", which placed emphasis on the mental health of children and young people – a topic the organizers highlighted as especially important given the worrying rise in mental health difficulties among younger generations. The campaign conveyed the message that sport is a force that builds more resilient individuals and communities, encouraging children and young people to trade screen time for active participation in sport.
As part of this campaign, mental health workshops were held, led by Vrapče Psychiatric Hospital, along with the lecture "In My Power: How Professionals in the Education System Can Support the Mental Health of Children and Young People," and the "Education for a Stronger Me!" program. Brigham Young University (BYU) from the USA, Krešimir Ćosić's alma mater, also joined with its contribution, with its representatives holding an English-language lecture on the American education system as well as a quiz on Krešo's legacy in America.
The campaign was supported as ambassadors by the biggest names in Croatian sport – Luka Modrić, Donna Vekić, Dino Rađa, Samanta Fabris, and Marko Bijač – who took part in a promotional video carrying a message about the importance of mental health through sport. The video premiered on May 10, 2025, at Cvjetni trg in Zagreb, as part of the event's announcement.
A gala concert with a live broadcast on HRT was also held, featuring numerous well-known performers – Tajči, Emilija Kokić, Ante Gelo, Saša Lozar, Davor Pekota, Klapa Niko, Renata Sabljak, and Ervin Baučić. The concert was directed by Krešimir Dolenčić, and part of the program was hosted by the Ćosić family's godmother, Žeža Fattorini, together with Marko Šapito.
Famous names on the Peninsula
Alongside the aforementioned campaign ambassadors, the event was graced by numerous prominent athletes, including NBA players Dario Šarić and Ivica Zubac, basketball legends Dino Bodiroga, Stojko Vranković, Nikola Plećaš, Moka Slavnić, Boško Tanjević, Ivo Daneu, Pino Gjergja, and Mihovil Nakić, water polo players Josip Pavić and Dubravko Šimenc, and handball players Ivan Balić, Igor Vori, Slavko Goluža, and Luka Klarica, along with many others from the world of Croatian sport.
The President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Plenković, officially opened the event by opening the exhibition at the Prince's Palace.
"Krešimir Ćosić Days – Sport for a Stronger Me!" proved to be one of the largest sports, educational, and cultural events in Croatia this year. Through a combination of top-level sport, mental health education, culture, and entertainment, the event successfully brought together children, young people, families, and numerous well-known figures from the world of sport on Zadar's Peninsula, paying tribute to the life and work of Krešimir Ćosić – a man who raised Croatian sport to a world level, and whose message about strength of character and mental resilience continues to inspire new generations today.
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