Defence Minister visits CAF members in Knin

“We are today focussed on professional performance of new tasks“, said the Minister underlining the importance of the competition which confirmed the top preparedness of the members of the Croatian Armed Forces.
The Minister praised the jubilary 20th competition again taking place in Knin,the symbol of the Homeland War and the host of the first competition (which was titled “First to reach Knin and first to reach freedom“. The Croatian Armed Forces have evolved significantly in the meantime into a respectable ally and partner demonstrating their capability by participating in a number of operations and missions. The “Best Soldier Competition“,boosting the athletic  spirit, cohesion and physical preparedness.  
“It takes the best prepared soldiers to conduct highly complex tasks, the year 2017 is dedicated to all enlisted leaders, NCOs and officers, all those who have worked hard giving their best without being noticed“ said the Minister.
The Best Soldier Competition 2017″, includes the renovation of kindergarten playgrounds in Knin by members of the Croatian Armed Forces. The Minister also visited the kindergartens and expressed satisfaction over the security for the children.
“This illustrates the unbreakable bond and co-operation between the local community and the Croatian Armed Forces, to my great satisfaction.  The Croatian Armed forces are ready to help whenever necessary offering their resources and assisting the civilian community thus upgrading the general quality of life in Croatia“, said Minister Krstičević.
The Commander of the Guards Mechanised Brigade, Colonel  Tihomir Kundid said that the works were conducted by the members of the Brigade’s Engineer Battalion and praised the co-operation with the local community.
The “Cvrčak” kindergarten Director Anita Ercegovac  said that the children enjoyed watching the soldiers work on their playground and that their parents welcomed  the initiative enthousiastically.
The competition is taking place in Knin and in the nearby  the military training range  “Crvena zemlja“ on 18 and 19 May. The town of Knin is a co-organiser too, as was twenty years ago.  The competition has gathered 150 participants from the Croatian Armed Forces, the Croatian Ministry of the Interior and members of friendly and partner armed forces.
The members of the Croatian Armed Forces renovate the playgrounds of four kindergartens in Knin and the surrounding areas (the works are worth 10,000 kuna) and install the new equipment procured in a charity, which will be handed over at the termination of the competition  for the  kindergarten children themselves , to take place on 18 May in the “Dinara” sports hall, entailing a kids obstacle race.