A panel discussion titled “HER SPORT – SPORT JUST FOR HER” was held this afternoon. Speakers included Snežana Pantović, President of the Network of Women in Sport of Serbia and the association “Women, Sport, Society”; Prvoslav Plavšić, President of the Serbian Psychological Society; and Tanja Petrović, one of Serbia’s top karate athletes.
In her opening remarks, Snežana Pantović discussed the “HER SPORT” project, highlighting the importance of girls aged 13 to 17 engaging in sports activities. She emphasized that the teenage years—a period when girls are maturing and developing as individuals and future women—are a crucial time for them to find their place and realize their potential through sport, especially if they identify and cultivate their athletic talent.
Global statistics indicate that girls are most likely to drop out of sports during puberty. The reasons for this are numerous—ranging from body image insecurities and physical changes to social pressures and a lack of motivation. The “HER SPORT” project addresses this challenge by fostering a safe, encouraging, and inclusive environment where girls can thrive without obstacles.
At this sensitive age, sport is more than just physical activity; it serves as a powerful tool for building self-confidence and mental resilience. Through training and competition, girls learn how to handle both victories and defeats, how to set goals, and how to persevere in achieving them. Snežana Pantović specifically highlighted that sports teach young women discipline, teamwork, and leadership—skills that will prove invaluable in their adult lives, whether they choose a professional sports career or pursue a different path.
Furthermore, a key objective of the project is to connect girls with successful women in sports who can serve as role models. Seeing other women successfully balance various aspects of their lives—and take pride in their own strength and physical fitness—helps dismantle outdated stereotypes and encourages girls to remain active.
Concluding her remarks, Snežana urged parents, coaches, and local communities to provide the fullest possible support to young female athletes. The message from this gathering is clear: a girl who steps onto the field today with confidence will, in the future, step into life with far greater ease and self-assurance. Investing in women’s sports is, in essence, an investment in a healthier, more equal, and more empowered society. “The tatami is a place where a girl discovers that her strength is unassailable.”
— Tanja Petrović, former European karate champion, speaking about the “HER SPORT” project.
“Looking back, the period between the ages of 13 and 17 was the most crucial, yet also the most vulnerable, phase of my upbringing. It is a time when the body changes, insecurities arise, and society often sends the message that girls should be ‘quiet’ and ‘gentle.’ My tatami and my dojo family were my sanctuary. There, I learned that the changes in my body were not something to be ashamed of; rather, they were my allies—the source of my speed, stability, and strength.
That is why a project like ‘HER SPORT’ is not merely a nice gesture—it is an absolute necessity. Girls at that age need more than just a recreational activity; they need a tool for survival and character building. Karate, like many other sports, teaches them something that no classroom can fully convey: how to fall, and how to always get back up. It teaches them discipline, respect for themselves and others, and control over their own emotions and bodies.
Many girls give up sports during puberty because they lose self-confidence or feel pressured to fit into certain molds. As female athletes who have walked this path, it is our responsibility to show them that their voices matter, that their ambitions are valid, and that strength is not a ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ trait—it is a human trait.” The message I would send to every girl between the ages of 13 and 17 who is thinking about giving up is simple: Do not let anyone else define your limits. If you have a talent, nurture it. If you have a passion, follow it. Sport will provide you with an armor of self-confidence that you will carry with you throughout your life—whether you become a champion, a doctor, an artist, or a mother.
The “HER SPORT” project serves as a bridge, connecting that potential with the right kind of support. I call upon all parents, coaches, and institutions not to be mere observers, but active allies to these girls. When you support a girl in sports, you are not just changing her life—you are changing the future of society as a whole.
