Maja Knezović, Cim, Bosnia & Herzegovina
A Childhood Dream Come True
Author: Maja Knezović
Football (soccer) has always been an integral part of my life, and I can confidently say that I possessed exceptional talent. The same held true for most of my neighbors and relatives. From a young age, we would gather at the Kovačevac field and play football every single day. Driven by our desire to recreate the atmosphere of a professional pitch, we ingeniously constructed wooden goal frames using four poplar tree trunks. Even though those goals didn’t have nets, it didn’t diminish the satisfaction we felt from playing. Our dedication and skill were so remarkable that, during our teenage years, our team from Cim secured first place in the Mahala tournament in 1974. I still vividly remember the euphoria I felt when I scored two goals in the final match and the subsequent joyous celebration at Kubat’s tavern, where the entire community joined in. During that time, we indulged in lofty dreams, envisioning ourselves playing in international or, at the very least, European finals, and even fantasizing about having a stadium right here in Cim.
During high school and into my twenties, I played for the Lokomotiva club. However, in 1980, the Cim Football Club (NK Cim) was founded. There was no longer any doubt about who I would play for. I spent the next fifteen years there as the club captain. In the picture below, you can see my cousin, neighbor Kele, neighbor Gengo, and me posing at the stadium under Bijeli Brijeg. At that time, the stadium belonged to the Velež Football Club (FK Velež), a prominent club in Mostar. We were all mostly acquainted with each other in the club because that’s how it is in Cim, and it contributed to us feeling like it was our second home.
I have included another captivating picture for your reference. This photo captures a group of eight players, all bearing the last name Marić, who were part of NK Cim during the mid-1980s. It is worth noting that, in addition to the players, several other individuals involved with the club, such as a doctor, psychologist, and club consultant, also shared the same surname. Even the owner of Kubat’s tavern, a popular gathering spot for us, happened to have that surname. The surname Marić was quite common in Cim, and as a result, it was prevalent within the club as well.
The club continued its existence both during and after the war. At that time, the formation of another major club in Mostar, HŠK Zrinjski, was just beginning, but NK Cim was much stronger in the post-war period and won tournaments played within the former state. Times have changed significantly since then, with Zrinjski now being the national champion and NK Cim in the third league. However, it still attracts many children to the game. It has always been an honor for us Cim residents to have a club in our town. After the war, the idea of having our own stadium seemed even more distant and unattainable. But our fellow residents are persistent.
During the early 2000s, discussions arose about the construction of a stadium in Cim. As expected, the financial aspect presented a challenge. However, determined local residents and club supporters took the initiative and launched a significant campaign to bring the project to fruition. Many generous donors were found. With the help of a former mayor, also a resident of Cim, and influential individuals in the political sphere, the necessary funds were successfully secured. It took a couple of years to gather the required amount of money, followed by approximately a year of construction. Finally, in 2009, the NK Cim stadium at Bare was built and ceremoniously inaugurated.
The opening ceremony featured a procession that included Cim folklore dancers and majorettes from Mostar. Our folklore group then delivered a splendid performance, showcasing their traditional dances. The entire audience, including myself, felt a surge of excitement and pride. We saw our children, neighbors, and relatives among the performers and shared the same joyous emotions, celebrating the new stadium. Subsequently, a local band, consisting of our residents, took the stage, and we all danced together to their renditions of popular hits. To an outsider, it may have seemed like an ordinary evening, but for us, Cim residents, it was a spectacular and unforgettable night. We had the opportunity to share those special moments and emotions as a united community.