A historic milestone for sambo in Croatia: Croatian Sambo Federation President Željko Banić has been elected to the Croatian Olympic Committee Executive Board.
The election took place during the Extraordinary Electoral Assembly of the Croatian Olympic Committee on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Zagreb. The assembly marked a historic shift in sport governance in Croatia, culminating in the election of Dr. Josip Varvodić as the new President of the Croatian Olympic Committee, replacing longtime President Zlatko Mateša.
The inclusion of a sambo representative on the national Olympic Committee’s highest governing body is a significant historical moment: in the new Executive Board, sambo stands alongside such national sporting giants as football, basketball, handball, and water polo. This election represents incredible institutional recognition of the dynamic growth, professionalization, and growing prestige of sambo within the global Olympic movement.
Mr. Željko Banić appointment to the highest executive body of Croatian sports provides the Croatian Sambo Federation with a powerful platform to promote sambo, improve infrastructure, and provide strategic support to young athletes.
“This is an exceptional honor not only for me personally, but also for our entire federation, our coaches, and our athletes, who have worked tirelessly to raise the profile of sambo,” said Željko Banić. “The recognition and representation of sambo at the highest level of Croatian Olympic sports proves that hard work, a clear vision, and dedication can bridge the gap between emerging martial arts and established Olympic disciplines. We look forward to contributing to the progress of all sports in Croatia while simultaneously taking sambo to new heights.”