Zlatibor 2026 Concludes After Week of Elite Competition and Global Exchange
Jun. 21, Zlatibor, Serbia – The ISF World School Basketball Championship – Zlatibor, Serbia 2026 came to a successful conclusion at the TRK Sports Hall, bringing together more than 900 participants for one week of international basketball, educational activities, and cultural exchange.
In the girls' competition, P.R. China claim the championship title by a 76–66 match with Chinese Taipei, while France secured the bronze medal after overcoming Türkiye 55–50. Boys team of Greece produced an outstanding performance to defeat P.R. China 68–48 in the Final, while Türkiye claimed third place with a 104–47 victory over host nation Serbia.
The Closing Ceremony brought together representatives of the ISF, national and local authorities. Medals were awarded by ISF Vice President Youssef Belqasmi, Minister of Sport of the Republic of Serbia Zoran Gajić, Secretary General of the Serbian School Sport Federation Boris Tomić, together with representatives of the Municipality of Čajetina and the Zlatibor region.
Declaring the championship officially closed, ISF Vice President Mr. Belqasmi congratulated all participating athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and organisers for contributing to another successful international school sport event. He highlighted the commitment, respect, and friendship demonstrated throughout the week, reaffirming ISF's mission of connecting young people through sport and education.
Away from the basketball courts, participants also took part in a comprehensive educational programme organised by ISF Academy. Workshops on safeguarding and anti-doping encouraged student-athletes to better understand their rights and responsibilities in sport, while providing practical knowledge on creating safe sporting environments and protecting clean competition.
The championship's cultural programme also proved equally memorable. During the Cultural Day and Nations Night, delegations discovered the natural beauty and traditions of Zlatibor while sharing their own cultures through exhibitions, performances, music, and national specialities.
For many participants, these experiences represented their first opportunity to interact so closely with peers from different continents. Praising the event's unique international atmosphere, coaches noted that the friendships formed, cultural understanding gained, and exposure to different styles of basketball would remain with their young athletes long after the final whistle.
For Zlatibor and the Serbian School Sport Federation, the championship marked another important milestone in an ongoing partnership with ISF.
Following the successful hosting of the ISF U15 Gymnasiade in 2025, the city welcomed the international school sport community for a second consecutive year, further demonstrating its growing experience in delivering major international school sport events. Discussions on future ISF events are already underway, reflecting the confidence built through this continued cooperation and the lasting value that international school sport brings to host cities and their communities.
