Loren Fatović and Luka Bukić awarded Bučar Prize
Great recognition for two Croatian water polo representatives. Loren Fatović and Luka Bukić are among this year's recipients of the State Sports Award Franjo Bučar.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia has announced the list of this year's laureates of this highest sports award, which is awarded by the Croatian state.
Basketball coach Željko Pavličević, followed by legendary football coach and long-time figure Zorislav Srebrić, and prominent sports figure Morana Paliković Gruden are the winners of the State Sports Award Franjo Bučar for Lifetime Achievement in 2024.
The annual awards were received by - Donna Vekić (tennis), Barbara Matić (judo), Miran Maričić (shooting), Edis Elkasević (athletics), Lena Stojković (taekwondo), Veljko Laura (taekwondo), Loren Fatović (water polo), Vladimir Preradović (judo), Deni Černi (athletics, paralympian), Ivan Mikulić (taekwondo, paralympian), Luka Bukić (water polo), and the Croatian Gymnastics Federation.
The winners of the awards were decided by the Committee for the State Sports Award Franjo Bučar, consisting of President Prof. Dr. Frane Žuvela, and members Dražen Brajdić, Marijeta Ćelić, Patrik Koščak, Mr. Sc. Siniša Krajač, Stipe Pletikosa, Anđela Mužinić Vincetić, Robert Seligman, and Dubravko Šimenc. The decision was made based on the submissions received in this year's Public Call.
This award is the highest recognition that the Republic of Croatia awards to sportswomen, sportsmen, coaches, and all other individuals in sports, for their exceptional achievements and contributions to the development of sports. Given the continuous outstanding successes of our sports, each time this Committee has a very challenging task to choose the best among the best, and this year it was especially difficult because exceptional achievements were made in this Olympic and Paralympic year. I congratulate all this year's recipients, especially the Lifetime Achievement award winners, Mrs. Paliković Gruden, and Mr. Pavličević and Mr. Srebrić - said Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports.
Each recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented with a diploma and a gold medal featuring the likeness of Franjo Bučar, as well as a cash prize of 6,700 euros, while the recipients of the annual award will receive a diploma and a silver medal with the likeness of Franjo Bučar, and a cash prize of 2,700 euros.
The awards ceremony for the laureates will take place on November 25th, the anniversary of Franjo Bučar's birth.
The Croatian Water Polo Federation congratulates all the winners, and we are especially proud of our two Barakudas, Luka and Loren.
