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Janja Garnbret Passes the Torch to Tine Urnaut as Ambassador of Godparenting in Sports

Published:
6.11.2025

Janja Garnbret Passes the Torch to Tine Urnaut as Ambassador of Godparenting in Sports

On Wednesday, 5 November, Ljubljana hosted a charity evening organised by the Slovenian Olympic Committee (OKS) and the ambassador of the Godparenting in Sports initiative for 2025, Janja Garnbret. The event raised an impressive 318,291 euros for the charity fund supporting young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The traditional gala took place at Ljubljana’s Grand Hotel Union. Double Olympic champion in sport climbing and the ambassador of Slovenian tourism, Janja Garnbret, appeared for the last time as the ambassador of Godparenting in Sports, a role she fulfilled with passion and commitment.

“It has been a very special year. As I said when I accepted the role, I took it with great respect and a sense of responsibility, but above all, it turned out to be a truly beautiful year. Many things happened and I feel it shaped me into a better person. It has been incredibly fulfilling. Goran set the bar high, but I gave it my all, and I’m proud of what we achieved. I don’t think I could have wished for more,” told Garnbret.

Skupna vsota, ki se je zbrala za sklad Botrstvo v športu pod pokroviteljstvom Janje Garnbert. Foto: BoBo/Žiga Živulović jr.
The total amount raised for the Godparenting in Sports fund under the patronage of Janja Garnbret. Photo: BoBo/Žiga Živulović jr.

Her successor, fellow Carinthian Tine Urnaut, now 37, has been the long-time captain of Slovenia’s men’s volleyball team. After years abroad, he returned home this summer to play for ACH Volley, currently competing for a place in the Champions League. Under the patronage of the Slovenian Olympic Committee, Urnaut plans to involve the entire national volleyball team and the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia in the charity programme. “It’s a great honour and a great responsibility,” Urnaut said upon accepting the role.

The Leon Štukelj and Miroslav Cerar Foundation was established by the Slovenian Olympic Committee in 2015 to support athletes from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Since 2020, it has also collaborated with the Godparenting in Sports programme and the Friends of Youth Association Ljubljana Moste-Polje, helping talented athletes aged 14 to 23 who excel both in sport and in school.

Over the years, the foundation’s ambassadors have included IOC President Thomas Bach, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, skier Tina Maze, cyclist Primož Roglič and basketball star Goran Dragić – who set a record in 2024 by raising 885,983 euros for the cause.

Now, the ambassadorial role remains in Carinthia, as volleyball star Tine Urnaut takes on the mission of continuing the legacy of generosity and support for Slovenia’s next generation of athletes.

Photo: BoBo/Žiga Živulović jr.

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Global public relations and Marketing
e-mail address: press(at)slovenia.info

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