Skopje, 20 December 2025 (MIA) – The 25th Memorial Indoor Football Tournament, organized by the "Heroes of Macedonia 2001-2015" association, was opened at the Boris Trajkovski Sports Center on Saturday in honor of the fallen defenders in the 2001 conflict and the fallen police members in the 2015 Kumanovo shootouts.

The opening ceremony began with a minute of silence, followed by the Macedonian anthem and performances by a children's choir with a message of peace and unity. Addressing the event, Minister of Defense Vlado Misajlovski expressed gratitude to the "Heroes of Macedonia 2001-2015" association for commemorating the defenders, pointing out that honouring the victims and supporting their families must be a permanent obligation for all institutions.

"The memorial tournament is dedicated to people who never asked how difficult it was, but how necessary it was, in crucial moments for the country. Their sacrifice has a name, a family and a story. Thanks to their service, today we are talking about security and stability. Honouring the commitment to members of the security forces and their families must be constant, responsible and essential," said Misajlovski.

Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski, who also attended the event, pointed out that the courage of the defenders, as well as their sacrifice, are embedded in the foundations of statehood. The pride of their families, he added, is the pride of all of Macedonia. "Their sacrifice is not just part of history. It is a sacrifice that teaches us that freedom, security and peace are not given, but are values ​​that are defended with courage, with honour and with the highest personal cost," Toshkovski stressed.

As an expression of respect for the fallen members of the armed forces, the president of the "Heroes of Macedonia 2001-2015" association, Vlado Stojanov, noted that this is an annual gathering, organized by the association and institutions at the local and central levels. It is equally everyone's duty, he stressed, to defend the homeland.

"The Macedonian heroes, who defended their homeland with love, gave their lives so that the country would not fall apart. All of us who live in it, regardless of national, religious or racial affiliation, are equal before the Constitution and the laws. It is the duty of each of us to defend the homeland. Therefore, through sports games and in a sportsmanship spirit, united in good deeds, regardless of national affiliation, we will play and hold this tournament," said Stojanov. 

As part of the tournament, teams from institutions and organizations will compete in a sportsmanlike spirit, and the goal, participants said, is to affirm unity and respect for the sacrifice of the defenders through sports.

Photo: Ministry of Defence