Petar Kapisoda, President of the Handball Federation of Montenegro
A country should be loved like a mother – with unconditional love and respect for its symbols: the coat of arms, the anthem, and the flag
For him, handball was never just a sport. It was a way to demonstrate loyalty to his country, the strength of character, and the power of unity. As a player, he carried the weight of expectations, but also the pride of the people. Today, as President of the Handball Federation of Montenegro, Petar Kapisoda speaks with equal passion about discipline, role models, and the values that sport conveys to future generations.
Players like you become not only sporting, but also cultural icons. How did you personally build your identity off the court?
Behaviour on the court does not mean much if, off it, you do not set the proper example. When I say that, I am thinking above all of younger colleagues and athletes. I believe a person is defined by their deeds – both on and off the court. In an age when everything is visible and accessible through the internet and social media, one must be careful about every word spoken and every action taken. The primary mission is to be a role model for those who are coming after us. One should always use their voice and influence to promote the right values, so that younger generations have a clear signpost. During my career, I treated my teammates like an older brother – and that remains the case today, while I serve as President of the Handball Federation of Montenegro.
During your career, major political changes took place in the region. How did you experience them, and was sport a kind of outlet?
I would not say that sport was an outlet. I played for three different countries during a period of transition and political change, but sport was always the thing that united us and protected us from divisions. We never had relationships burdened by politics. Sport was the bridge that connected us then, and it intertwines us still today. I am convinced that top athletes, when they meet, do not speak about politics, but about better things – shared memories, experiences, and sporting moments.
How did you feel when representing your country on the international stage?
For me, it was the fulfilment of all my childhood and sporting dreams. The greatest honour and privilege of my career was to wear the Montenegrin jersey. Whenever I stood beneath the flag and listened to the anthem, I felt profound pride – and that is a feeling that never fades. There is nothing more exhilarating than representing your country with pride across the world. I believe a country should be loved like a mother – with unconditional love and respect for its symbols: the coat of arms, the anthem, and the flag.
How did you cope with the pressure and expectations during key matches?
Sport is merciless because it is exact – everything is measured by results. Not everyone is destined to carry the burden of responsibility, especially at the biggest international competitions. But that responsibility never belongs to just one person – it is shared with teammates, the public, and the fans. When we speak of Montenegro’s national team, the team and the supporters form an inseparable unity. One makes no sense without the other. Success is a joy we share together, and even in moments of failure we must remain united.
Handball has often been a bridge among the peoples of the Balkans. To what extent is sport actually a form of “soft diplomacy” and reconciliation?
I have always perceived sport as a bridge that connects people in the Balkans, especially in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The breakup of Yugoslavia brought a decline in quality, but today most countries from that area have strong national teams, both in men’s and women’s handball. On the court we are opponents, but after the match relations remain friendly and correct. I am proud that our men’s national team has, in recent years, achieved victories against all the national sides of the former Yugoslavia – at least one in head-to-head encounters.
What does victory personally mean to you – the result, or the opportunity to demonstrate the dignity, fair play, and culture of a country?
Victory is always the consequence – of effort, discipline, and attitude towards responsibilities. In sport, nothing comes by itself. Every success is preceded by gruelling physical and mental work. The pathway is thorny, and every result is paid for with sweat, nerves, blood, and sacrifice. Fair play is taken for granted, but regardless of the outcome, one’s attitude towards the game and the opponent must be impeccable. Desire and fight must never be in doubt, whether in victory or defeat. It is precisely in this that the culture of a country is reflected. That is why we teach our players that fair play is the foundation of every match.
What do you see as the key challenges for handball in the next ten years: the audience, finances, competitiveness, or the digitalisation of sport?
First and foremost, infrastructure. We are lagging behind developed European countries – our capital city still does not have a modern multi-functional arena that meets international standards. The second major challenge is financing. At present, the state covers around 50 per cent of our annual needs, while we struggle to secure the remainder from various sources. It is necessary to find sustainable models of financing, and we are working towards handball being granted the status of a national sport, which would give us additional security. Another particular challenge is the fact that we have a small base but huge ambitions. We strive for results every year – because only in that way can we push handball forward.