Blab Sports
Split and Brac Host Inaugural World Diaspora Friendship Games, Bridging Croatia and Its Global Community
When the July sun broke over Split on 16 July 2026, the Adriatic coast opened its gates to a gathering unlike any before. For five days, the cities of Split and the island town of Milna on Brač became the stage for the first World Diaspora Friendship Games, a celebration that drew Croats and their descendants from more than 35 countries, as well as friends of Croatia from Europe, the Americas, Australia and beyond.
The American Croatian Congress (ACC), led by President Nada Pritišanac Matulich, organized the event and partnered with Aspira University of Applied Sciences to host it. ACC officials said the Games were conceived as a platform that would fuse sport, culture, education and business, aiming to create a lasting bridge between Croatia and its diaspora. Local authorities and Croatian institutions backed the vision, with the City of Split providing the sound system for the opening ceremony and the Croatian National Tourist Board offering modest but appreciated support.
The opening ceremony unfolded in the Meštrović Gallery, where representatives of Croatian institutions, local governments, diaspora organisations, sports federations, cultural bodies, diplomats and other distinguished guests gathered. Olympic champion Matea Jelić was introduced by Sports Director Steve Ravić as a gold‑medalist, and Mayor Tomislav Šuta officially declared the Games open, underscoring the role of emigrants in shaping Croatia’s modern history. Three young taekwondo athletes from Split’s TK Marjan—Maja Srhoj, Petra Uglešić and Klara Uglešić—lowered the inaugural flag, which was then presented to Marin Mrduljaš, President of the Split Sports Museum, as a symbol of support for the museum’s establishment.
Competition spread across Split and Milna, featuring pickleball, bocce, five‑a‑side football, taekwondo, judo and karate. Emphasis on inclusivity shone through workshops for children with developmental disabilities and participation by Croatian war veterans, para‑sport athletes and people with disabilities. The Split City Parasports Association (PSS Split) partnered with the organisers to promote Croatian parasport, offering boccia, para‑taekwondo and judo demonstrations for blind and visually impaired athletes. Coaches from OKOSI Sveti Duje, Yuki Judo Club for Persons with Disabilities, Galeb Para Taekwondo Club and others enriched the program.
A cultural programme ran alongside the sporting events. The international project “The Necktie of Distinguished Croatian Women and Men of the Diaspora” was presented, and the second edition of the book “Croats United by the Necktie” was launched by Branka Bezić Filipović. The book cover featured artwork by Croatian‑Australian artist Charles Billich, whose works have appeared in the White House, the Vatican and the United Nations. At 92, Billich donated a design concept for future editions of the Games.
Media coverage amplified the Games’ reach. Majestic Film Australia, a long‑time partner of Croatian cultural projects, produced official photography and video for television broadcast, with production led by Steve Ravić.
The closing ceremony at Aspira University of Applied Sciences saw certificates of appreciation awarded to partners, institutions, sports federations and individuals who helped make the inaugural Games a success. Special recognition went to the Split City Parasports Association, Yuki Judo Club, Galeb Taekwondo Club, Bili Tići Sports Association, Juraj Bonači Centre, Zvono Association, Mir Rudine Centre, Split 1700 Golf Club, the City of Split, the Municipality of Milna, the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Split Sports Museum, the Meštrović Gallery, SOIR Ltd., Bura Mrgudić Winery, Feravino, Bakus Winery and Wines Winery.
Steve Ravić highlighted the potential for future Games and praised Australian‑Croatian runner Aydan Marko Papac, who plans to attempt a Guinness World Record by running from the northern to the southern tip of Croatia in ten days or less. He urged Croatian communities and institutions to strengthen support for such initiatives.
The first World Diaspora Friendship Games demonstrated that the Croatian diaspora remains an integral part of the country’s past and future. Split and Brač served as a meeting place for people from different countries and backgrounds, united by a shared sense of belonging to Croatia. New friendships were forged, international partnerships established, and a message was sent that distance cannot break the bonds connecting Croats worldwide. The Games fulfilled their founding vision of becoming a lasting bridge between homeland and diaspora, leaving a legacy that will bring together future generations of Croats and friends of Croatia across continents.
The American Croatian Congress (ACC), led by President Nada Pritišanac Matulich, organized the event and partnered with Aspira University of Applied Sciences to host it. ACC officials said the Games were conceived as a platform that would fuse sport, culture, education and business, aiming to create a lasting bridge between Croatia and its diaspora. Local authorities and Croatian institutions backed the vision, with the City of Split providing the sound system for the opening ceremony and the Croatian National Tourist Board offering modest but appreciated support.
The opening ceremony unfolded in the Meštrović Gallery, where representatives of Croatian institutions, local governments, diaspora organisations, sports federations, cultural bodies, diplomats and other distinguished guests gathered. Olympic champion Matea Jelić was introduced by Sports Director Steve Ravić as a gold‑medalist, and Mayor Tomislav Šuta officially declared the Games open, underscoring the role of emigrants in shaping Croatia’s modern history. Three young taekwondo athletes from Split’s TK Marjan—Maja Srhoj, Petra Uglešić and Klara Uglešić—lowered the inaugural flag, which was then presented to Marin Mrduljaš, President of the Split Sports Museum, as a symbol of support for the museum’s establishment.
Competition spread across Split and Milna, featuring pickleball, bocce, five‑a‑side football, taekwondo, judo and karate. Emphasis on inclusivity shone through workshops for children with developmental disabilities and participation by Croatian war veterans, para‑sport athletes and people with disabilities. The Split City Parasports Association (PSS Split) partnered with the organisers to promote Croatian parasport, offering boccia, para‑taekwondo and judo demonstrations for blind and visually impaired athletes. Coaches from OKOSI Sveti Duje, Yuki Judo Club for Persons with Disabilities, Galeb Para Taekwondo Club and others enriched the program.
A cultural programme ran alongside the sporting events. The international project “The Necktie of Distinguished Croatian Women and Men of the Diaspora” was presented, and the second edition of the book “Croats United by the Necktie” was launched by Branka Bezić Filipović. The book cover featured artwork by Croatian‑Australian artist Charles Billich, whose works have appeared in the White House, the Vatican and the United Nations. At 92, Billich donated a design concept for future editions of the Games.
Media coverage amplified the Games’ reach. Majestic Film Australia, a long‑time partner of Croatian cultural projects, produced official photography and video for television broadcast, with production led by Steve Ravić.
The closing ceremony at Aspira University of Applied Sciences saw certificates of appreciation awarded to partners, institutions, sports federations and individuals who helped make the inaugural Games a success. Special recognition went to the Split City Parasports Association, Yuki Judo Club, Galeb Taekwondo Club, Bili Tići Sports Association, Juraj Bonači Centre, Zvono Association, Mir Rudine Centre, Split 1700 Golf Club, the City of Split, the Municipality of Milna, the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Split Sports Museum, the Meštrović Gallery, SOIR Ltd., Bura Mrgudić Winery, Feravino, Bakus Winery and Wines Winery.
Steve Ravić highlighted the potential for future Games and praised Australian‑Croatian runner Aydan Marko Papac, who plans to attempt a Guinness World Record by running from the northern to the southern tip of Croatia in ten days or less. He urged Croatian communities and institutions to strengthen support for such initiatives.
The first World Diaspora Friendship Games demonstrated that the Croatian diaspora remains an integral part of the country’s past and future. Split and Brač served as a meeting place for people from different countries and backgrounds, united by a shared sense of belonging to Croatia. New friendships were forged, international partnerships established, and a message was sent that distance cannot break the bonds connecting Croats worldwide. The Games fulfilled their founding vision of becoming a lasting bridge between homeland and diaspora, leaving a legacy that will bring together future generations of Croats and friends of Croatia across continents.
