The recent municipal takeover of the sports hall in Leposavic, which previously operated under Serbia’s institutional framework, has sparked protests from former employees, local sports organisations, and parents of children who trained at the facility. Protesters claim that children have been denied access to regular training sessions following the administrative handover.
Deputy Mayor of Leposavic, Marina Bogojević, rejected these claims, stating that all previously allocated time slots for sports activities remain valid and that the hall will now be available free of charge.
Although Bogojević had previously announced that former employees would be allowed to continue working, she confirmed today that new staff members have already been appointed and a new director installed. Former employees expressed disappointment over what they described as a unilateral takeover, insisting that a dialogue should have been held to reach a mutual solution. Bogojević agreed that communication had taken place, explaining that the hall’s leadership had been aware for months of an open call for new positions to replace staff who had left the Kosovo system more than three years ago. She added that reintegration was encouraged but ultimately unsuccessful.
Protesters: “Children Prevented from Training”
At a protest held outside the facility this morning, former staff, sports representatives, and parents claimed the takeover disrupted children’s activities and took place without proper consultation.
Vladimir Lešević, former head of the hall’s legal and HR services, said:
“Police prevented us from entering, along with the children and other recreational users. The same thing happened in Mitrovica – children are no longer using that hall, and the Banjska facility has been closed. We would have welcomed cooperation, but it was in vain.”
Former director Marko Radosavljević added:
“There was no need to seize the hall. Dialogue was possible. We were open to talks and warned of potential problems. Children still see us as their contact point, and we’re committed to finding alternative training spaces if needed.”
Municipality: Free Access and Openness to Cooperation
Deputy Mayor Bogojević insisted that all previously scheduled activities remain in place and that users will now confirm their bookings with the newly appointed staff. She added that the hall will be open to all citizens free of charge and that new bookings can be made through the new director.
She also expressed willingness to continue cooperation with the Faculty of Physical Education, which previously held exams and classes at the facility:
“If they wish, we are open to signing a memorandum of cooperation. It’s up to them.”
On the protests, Bogojević claimed that children had been politically exploited:
“Parents called me – children were taken from school to attend the protest. This is political, not factual. Anyone is welcome to visit and see how we work,” she told KoSSev.
Employment Dispute and Institutional Transition
Bogojević stated that conversations regarding the handover of the sports hall had been ongoing for weeks and that the job competition for new positions was publicly announced through multiple channels. She said none of the former employees applied, alleging that they were unwilling to leave the Serbian system, where salaries are reportedly two to three times higher.
She maintained that discussions with former management, including Radosavljević, continued for three weeks but yielded no agreement.
“The conversations were cordial, there’s no animosity. They were not expelled – they were given the opportunity to return. If they want to work, they can. Even if they receive three salaries, I have no objections,” she said.
Radosavljević confirmed that employees were told they needed to integrate into the Kosovo system, but denied that they had refused. He reiterated that he remained open to exploring arrangements that would accommodate both sides.
Bogojević noted that the hall was built in 2008 and that its staff were initially employed under Kosovo institutions before being transferred to the Serbian system in 2012–2013. She claimed that around ten Serb employees still receive salaries from Kosovo institutions.
Political and International Reactions
The takeover in Leposavic follows similar actions in North Mitrovica and other locations in recent days, drawing criticism from Serbian political entities including Srpska Lista, Srpska Demokratija, Serbia’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, and the Serbian Sports Association.
The only international response thus far has come from UNMIK Head Caroline Ziadeh, who issued a statement last night.
Protest Erupts in Leposavic After Kosovo Authorities Take Control of Local Sports Hall
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