OTP banka to become a platinum sponsor of the Croatian Olympians

Further to the agreement signed in Zagreb by Mr Balázs Békeffy, president of the Board of OTP banka d. d. and Mr Siniša Krajač, secretary general of the Croatian Olympic Committee (HOO), OTP banka is to become a platinum sponsor of the Croatian Olympic athletes.

As this pre-Olympic year is drawing to its end, OTP banka has raised the bar in supporting development of sports in the Republic of Croatia. In addition to sponsoring and donating to numerous professional and amateur sports clubs, and children sports clubs, four years ago the Bank invited a tender for scholarships for student athletes – young people who not only pursue academic excellence, but also have top results in the sport of their choice. Last year, OTP banka made a big step forward in supporting Croatian sports by sponsoring the European Water Polo Championship held in Split, and now it has upped the ante once again.  

- Since its formation, OTP banka has been a reliable business partner and a valuable member of the communities it which it does business. We have been supporting various local sports clubs, competitions, championing sports for children and youth. We grant scholarships to student athletes. Our clients see us as the bank that supports sports. By sponsoring the European Water Polo Championship in Split in 2022, we demonstrated to be a good fit for largest sports events, and it made us wanting to go an extra mile.  On this journey, we have chosen to team up with the Croatian Olympic Committee, as we believe we share the same values. This being the Olympic year, we decided to offer financial support to our Olympians. OTP has been a partner of the Slovenian and Serbian Olympic Committees, and we have now joined the Croatian Olympic family - said Mr Balázs Békeffy, president of the Board of OTP banka d.d. on the occasion of signing of the Agreement.

Speaking on behalf the umbrella organisation for the Croatian sport, Mr Zlatko Mateša, president of HOO said:

- It is a great pleasure to take part in the event connecting two exceptionally successful economic sectors in Croatia - sports and banking. Being one of the most extensively present banks in the Croatian market, and a great supporter of sports and the Olympic movement, OTP banka recognised our Olympians as superb partners. I believe that our future cooperation will be mutually beneficial and that the Olympic Games in Paris next year will demonstrate that joining the Croatian Olympic family as the platinum sponsor is indeed an excellent business decision. In the same vein, I am positive that after the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 both parties will be eager to continue this partnership. 

Giovanni Cernogoraz, Martin and Valent Sinković, and Damir Martin, famous Croatian Olympians, were present at this event and thanked OTP banka for supporting the Croatian sports.

In addition to season’s greetings, Mr Balázs Békeffy extended to the athletes his best wishes for the Olympic Games:

- We are aware that only commitment and great effort bring top results, in business and in sports alike. For this reason, I take tremendous pride in seeing our name linked to the Olympic family. I wish success to all our athletes at the upcoming Olympic Games and – although I subscribe to the saying that the important thing is not to win, but to take part – I wish our team to win as many medals as possible in Paris!