NINE-YEAR-OLD FOOTBALLER FROM FOČA JOINS RED STAR BELGRADE AS A PROMISING TALENT

Vukašin Živanović, a nine-year-old footballer from Foča’s “Sutjeska” football school, is one of only two players of his age from Republika Srpska who have been recognized as great talents by Belgrade’s “Red Star” and invited to join their team.

PHOTO: Radio Foča

Vukašin has been training at “Sutjeska” for the past three years, and based on the recommendation of his coaches, he was invited last year to attend Red Star’s three-day camp in East Sarajevo.

Among more than 80 boys born in 2016, Vukašin and one other boy from Bijeljina met the high standards of the legendary Belgrade club. This led to regular participation in Red Star’s summer and winter training camps and various competitions.

He is now both a “Sutjeska” and “Red Star” player. He trains and plays between Foča and Belgrade, and says that his biggest dream is to one day play for the first team of the red-and-whites from Belgrade.

“I first went to the camp, they picked me, and then I started going to training camps. I play midfield, sometimes right wing, and I love scoring goals and assisting. I have a good dribble,” the talented youngster proudly says, briefly describing his style of play.

Due to numerous sports commitments, occasional absences from school are unavoidable, but his teachers at “Sveti Sava” Primary School, where he is in the third grade, are supportive and understanding.

“I manage everything at school, I learn fast,” says the charming nine-year-old.

His favorite Red Star players are Radonjić and Kanga.

“From international players, maybe Raphinha, and before it used to be Messi,” Vukašin adds.

The summer training camp lasted seven days and was held in Kozarska Dubica, while the winter one took place in Trebinje.

The most recent tournament was in Požarevac, and according to his father, Dragan Živanović, they are currently expecting another call from Belgrade for the next tournament.

“He plays in the league whenever he’s able to go. He should go more often, but it all depends on financial resources,” his father says.

At Red Star, they are very pleased with Vukašin’s performance.

“They see him as an exceptional talent and insist that he comes to Marakana as often as possible. He manages his schoolwork well, it takes effort, but when there’s will, everything works out,” says his father.

Vukašin’s parents are aware of his talent and the strong foundation for future progress in football, but they are also cautious, knowing it’s too early to predict a sports career.

“That’s still far away, we’ll see in time. He’s only nine. Right now, the most important thing is that he loves football, enjoys it, and embraces the responsibilities it brings,” says Vukašin’s dad.

His coaches at “Sutjeska”, brothers Duško and Dejan Rašević, describe him as highly dedicated and practically living with the ball 24/7.

“We’ve followed his development since he joined the club – he’s a talented boy who loves to train, enjoys the game, and so far has all the makings of a great player. For his age, he has an excellent understanding of the game, solid technical skills, great coordination, and very importantly, healthy support from his parents, without unrealistic expectations,” says coach Dejan Rašević.

His home club has made arrangements to allow him extra training time for better progress.

“His development is on an upward path. Of course, he’s still far from becoming a star, but what matters most is that he’s having fun through the game – and that’s how it will stay,” adds the younger Rašević.

The older Rašević reminds us that this area has produced many top footballers, like Rade Krunić and Vladan Danilović, and that Vukašin has good conditions to follow in their footsteps.

“A huge potential, a huge talent – the invitation from the biggest club in the Balkans says it all. Just think how many kids there are across Serbia, and they find one in Foča – that’s a success for all of us, and especially for him,” says Duško Rašević.

A long journey and lots of work lie ahead for Vukašin, but success in sport is within reach when talent is paired with dedication, the coaches say.

More than 100 boys train at the Foča football school, where the primary goal is to instill healthy habits, and through work, play, and friendship, raise good footballers – and above all, good people.

Vukašin is well on his way to achieving both. He’s living his dream and believes that one day he’ll fulfill it completely – by playing for Red Star’s first team and following in the footsteps of his fellow townsman, Rade Krunić.