How do you see the impact of your position in ISF, for girls?
I am very proud to have been given this opportunity to hold the position of President of the Technical Commission for swimming in the ISF. With hard work, dedication, and a clear goal in your mind, you can achieve everything you want, this is the message I want to continue sharing with young girls from all around the world. The ISF is an organisation that promotes equality, healthy lifestyle, and fair play and for that I am glad to be a part of this family, to promote this message through school sport myself.
What is the message you would like to address to young girls on the importance of practicing school sport?
The values that sport promotes for children while growing up help them in overcoming challenges throughout their life. From practicing sport, they also gain opportunities to meet people from all over the world who can then become their friends for the lifetime.
What would you say to the public authority leaders regarding investment in school sport?
To the public authority leaders, I would like to say how important is to try to make practicing sports in all kindergarten, primary schools, and high schools, free. Children with great talent need to be recognised and have more funding and equipment available, with the time spend training and practicing sport in these conditions being an important part of their growth both as athletes and as people.
In your opinion, how important are international sport events for the youth population and for young girls?
I believe that it is incredibly important that with sport, children can promote their countries and cities. By attending international sport events they have an opportunity to visit different countries and incredible places, learning about the history and culture of these locations. These are beautiful experiences that will follow them their entire life and shape them as they grow up.
How did you manage in your sport environment (schools, club, federations...) through the COVID-19 situation, specifically for girls and what are the specific challenges for them?
This is the first time we have faced this kind of a problem, and there are a lot of challenges. This is a difficult period for every one of us and especially for athletes and organising committees of sport events. We think that by following government measures and taking care of ourselves and others, we can still make sporting events happen again in the near future.
Message from ISF President Laurent Petrynka & ISF Gender Equality Committee Chair Valérie Lebondo
About Aleksandra Marjanac
From Serbia Aleksandra Marjanac is the ISF Swimming Technical Commission President. She is the Secretary General of the school sport union in Novi Sad, coordinator for the school sport union of Serbia and a passionate swimming coach. Aleksandra’s love for sport motivated her to finish her studies in sport and physical education and to continue to actively promote sport the best way that she can.
