Skopje, 5 September 2025 (MIA) -- Joshko Milenkoski, Hamid Bakija, Zoran Nikolovski, Viktor Tevchev and Kiril Manev are this year's winners of the September 8 National Award given to athletes, coaches and sports workers for their achievements in sports.

Each year, the state awards up to five September 8 awards, one of which is for lifetime achievement. Milenkoski, a renowned Macedonian volleyball player and long-time coach who currently coaches the national volleyball team, was awarded the September 8 lifetime achievement award for 2025.

At the awards ceremony held earlier Friday in Parliament, Minister of Sports Borko Ristovski congratulated the winners and said they were excellent role models and promoted true values in sports.

Milenkoski gave thanks for the award, adding that he celebrated 50 years of his volleyball career this year.  

"My life has been and remains dedicated to volleyball. I have put in a lot of hard work and love into it," Milenkoski said.

The September 8 National Awards are given each year at a ceremony in Parliament ahead of Independence Day, Sept. 8. mr/