Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, under whose auspices the 295th Alka lancing tournament in the southern Croatian town of Sinj was held, on Sunday congratulated the winner of this year's tournament, Mario Susnjara, stressing that the Sinjska Alka, which is held in tribute to the victory of locals over Ottoman Turkish invaders in 1715, was a symbol of homeland defence.
Susnjara, who won the tournament twice, got a special prize from the President of the Republic - a golden ring with the Croatian coat of arms and a sabre.
Susnjara also received a HRK 40,000 prize from the Chivalric Association of Alkars (VAD)
The event, hosted by VAD, was attended by a crowd of over 10,000, including President Josipovic, Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic,and Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, Science Minister Radovan Fuchs, Transport Minister Bozidar Kalmeta, Croatian Navy Commander Ante Urlic, Split-Makarska Archbishop Marin Barisic, member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Zeljko Komsic and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
Stressing that Croatia was proud of heroism the people of the Sinj region had shown, Josipovic said "we must always be prepared to defend our homeland and values such as courage, patriotism and honesty."
"Today, Croatia is fighting for Europe, economic development, science, education, culture and progress, but if necessary we will defend our homeland again," Josipovic stressed.
After the tournament the dinner of alkars will be held.
