Training under bombs

our Army Shooting at Airplanes

Coming from Serbia and its turbulent history, I was a part of 3 months long bombing that happened in March 1999. For some of you that know me, you may have heard this story already. The reason why I like to tell it is because it represents COMMITMENT. 

I was 13yo and Volleyball was already big part of my life. As the war has started, the schools were dismissed and for first couple of weeks everything that we did has stopped: School, Work, Sports, Social activities.. People have lived in fear and had to figure out how to make the best of the situation that our country was in. Slowly we have adjusted to new situation and start living the life "under the bombs". Life full of adrenaline, fear, grief, pride and for a 13 yo maturity that had to be acquired immediately. Everybody had to work hard, everybody hoped for the war to be over soon so we can continue where we stopped. 

My coaches have decided to continue practice. we trained out on the concrete and grass because it was too dangerous to be in any type of public facility. We trained twice a day, wearing shirts with targets on our back. Not just that we trained to get better, but we trained to resist to the ignorance of war and aggression. The practices were conducted and held even when the sirens for air attacks would go off. We would all pause for a second, adrenaline would rush in and with sounds of detonation and airplanes breaking the sound barrier, we would practice. Diligently practice. There was no excuse. Everybody was there, everybody was working hard and we all made it. We've got better, we've survived the war and we've learned that excuses are not acceptable. 

Everyone had a shirt with target on it. 

Most of the people from that team had turned professional, some went to college, some are coaches now. All the coaches that were there are still coaching to this day. 

Thousands of people have lost their lives during the 3 months long bombing