2009 SU Update: Mascot Srba’s Godmother

Universiade mascot, Srba,the sparrow, was “baptized” yesterday in “Pionir” sports hall and its godmother, student Marina Djordjević got many presents on the occasion. This event was part of the celebrations of Students’ Day, as well as another promotion of the 25th Universiade.

Eight basketball teams took part in the celebrations of Students’ Day at a tournament organized in the “Pionir” sports hall. Fierce battle was waged between teams from the Faculties of Medicine, Economics, Physical Education, Organizational Sciences, Dental Medicine, Pharmacology, and an All Star University team and Volunteers’ team. The Faculty of Organizational Sciences team triumphed against the Faculty of Medicine team in overtime. The score was 44:41.
During the halves rest, after the Universiade anthem was played, Marina Djordjević was presented with gifts for winning the recent contest for the Universiade mascot’s name. According to custom in Smederevo, where Marina lives, the godmother presented her “godchild” with flat bread and a basket of apples. She also recited a poem she wrote for Srba.

Ministers of Education and Youth and Sport, Željko Obradović and Snežana Marković-Samardžić, Mayor of Belgrade Dragam Djilas and University of Belgrade Rector Branko Kovačević addressed the audience that consisted of university students and Universiade volunteers.
‘We are taking this opportunity to congratulate all students on their day and remind them all that we were the first to start honoring Students’ Day. Students all over the world celebrate Students’ Day on November 17th, when in 1939 Nazis stormed the University of Prague, three years after our students revolted against fascism’, said Branko Kovačević.

Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas told the students and volunteers that they should receive Universiade guests with joy and an open heart so that they would wish to return to Serbia’s capital again. ‘Be fantastic hosts for these fifteen days so that after the Universiade, foreigners would wish to come to our city’, said Djilas.
The 25th Summer Universiade will be held between July 1st and 12th. Serbia’s capital will be host to several thousand students and numerous delegations from many countries worldwide.

Srba’s Godmother, student Marina Djordjević