EURÓPSKA ÚNIA SPORT IN Project was co-fi nances by ERDF – EU funds “Investícia do Vašej budúcnosti” “Investment into your future” discover the place, live the story FUTBAL Th e beginnings of football below the Zobor can be traced back to the voluntary fi re brigade in the beginning of the twentieth century which adopted the game element, namely football, also in their training. At the turn of the fi fties and the sixties, the team of Nitra participated in the highest competition in the Republic, where it did not get lost amidst the competition of eminent Czech and Slovak stars. In the season of 1961/1962 it gained the second place and, in the next season, it became a fi nalist in the Central European Cup. Th e next big achievement was the third rank in the 1st National League, and the participation in the UEFA Cup in 1989. In the modern-day history of football in Nitra, the FC Nitra club takes pride in the status of being the fi rst professional club in with a clearly defi ned philosophy: to promote junior football and focus on the training of the youth. Since the birth of the independent Slovak league, the team has taken part in the fi rst and the second league alternately, with average results. In the season of 2004/2005, they managed to establish a steady cadre, in the of which numerous local trainees have found their fi rm position. Th e steady team clearly dominated and thus, in May 2005, could celebrate their advancement to the highest competition after their longest silence since the late seventies. Th anks to their energy in their home environment, Nitra qualifi ed among the elite. By their spectacular game, the players attracted demanding spectators and achieved the biggest success since the era of the independent Slovak League: the 3rd rank (in the season of 2007/2008)! During the subsequent years, the club had to come to terms not only with the departure of the excellent trainer P. Hapal, but also with that of numerous talented players, which eff ected the quality of the game as well as the performance of the team during the next years.

FC Nitra, a.s. Jesenského 4, 949 01 Nitra Phone: 037/6513480 [email protected]; www.fcnitra.sk PERSONALITIES 60s – Viliam Padúch, Ladislav Putera, Milan Navrátil, Viliam Hrnčár, Michal Pucher 70s – Vladimír Szabó, Daniel Ižold, Július Porubský, Fedor Štarke, Vladimír Ternény, Ivan Horn, Rastislav Vincúr 80s – Peter Palúch, Ladislav Molnár, Dušan Borko, Jozef Kukučka, Kamil Chatrnúch, Róbert Jež st., Jaroslav Dekýš, Eduard Gajdoš, František Halás, , Milan Lednický Ľubomír Moravčík - most successful footballer of the decade, Czechoslovak and Slovak representative 90s – Ivan Ondruška, Róbert Tomaschek, Peter Gunda, Jozef Antalovič, Ondrej Ondrovič, Igor Demo, Martin Peško, Jozef Kotula, Norbert Hrnčár, Mikuláš Lörinc, Ivan Kováč, Peter Burák, Henrich Benčík, Juraj Dovičovič, Róbert Jež ml. the years 2000-2012 – Štefan Senecký, Marek Kostoláni, Peter Kostoláni, Marek Bakoš, Róbert Rák, Ján Štajer, Ivan Hodúr, Jozef Jelšic, Tomáš Kóňa, Peter Grajciar, Pavol Farkaš,

FUTSAL In 2003, „minor football“ and indoor football were united to a single sport - futsal. Th is sport is very popular in Nitra even today, and during its short history it has become quite successful, too. Th e 1st SC Incar Nitra club achieved a gold medal in the season of 2003/04, and bronze in the next two years. Since 2008, a Municipal Futsal Club has been active in Nitra, setting off their career in the 2nd highest futsal league, the so-called Openliga. However, right in the next season, the team strengthened by several experienced players took part in the highest Slovak competition, the Extraliga. So far the best placement of the club was the 5th rank in the season of 2011/12.

Futsalový klub MFSK Nitra +421904148153, +421911318950 [email protected]; www.mfsknitra.estranky.sk

Th e beginnings of ice hockey in Nitra can be dated to the winter of 1923/1924. At that time, however, it was not ice hockey in the present-day sense of the word yet, but a so-called bandy, or Russian hockey, played with small, bent sticks and a small rubber ball. Since 1924, the organization of the sport in Nitra has been provided by the AC Nitra sports club. Already in 1926, Canadian hockey was played in Slovakia, which was much more exciting and dynamic. In December 1926, this game was learnt in Nitra too, which, along with the towns of Banská Bystrica, Poprad and , became one of the pioneers of Slovak hockey.

Nitra achieved biggest success in the 1980s and at the turn of the second and third millennia. Th e boom of hockey in Nitra started in the season of 2002/2003, when the players in white and blue shirts advanced to the extra league. Th e biggest success in the modern-day history of hockey came in the season of 2005/2006. Nitra won the fi rst round of the extra league and, after the play-off , gained a historic third place, which meant achieving bronze medals. Th e so far best season was marked by the champion title of our trainees, too.

PERSONALITIES: Štefan Valent, Oliver Juhári, Ján Filc, Rudolf Uličný, Ivan Hrtús, Jozef Daňo, Ľubomír Kolník, Dušan Milo, Juraj Štefanka, Ivan Čiernik, Miroslav Šmidriak, Juraj Kolník, Jozef Stümpel

HK Nitra Jesenského 2, 949 01 Nitra Phone: 037/651 34 81 hknitra@hknitra. sk; www.hknitra.sk BALL HOCKEY Called street hockey, deck hockey or ball hockey in the North American continent, in Slovakia it is „hokejbal“ for players as well as fans. As a spontaneous game of boys in the street, ball hockey has gradually evolved into a form of a highly strategic game, requiring considerable kinetic skills and emphasizing manoeuvrability, speed and orientation skills. Th e temperament of ball hockey and its openness to wide masses of the society are making this game sort of a mass event, proven by the fact that in Nitra, too, hundreds of men of all age categories are practicing this sport at present. Amateur ball hockey in Nitra is coordinated by two umbrella leagues, the Parish Ball Hockey League, founded in 1994, and the Nitra Ball Hockey League. Th e professional niveau of this sport in Nitra has, since 2010, been provided by the HBK Nitrianski rytieri (Nitra Knights) club, which is a double champion of the Slovak Republic. Moreover, an international ball hockey tournament, STÜMPEL CUP, is organized in Nitra every year.

HBK Nitrianski rytieri [email protected]; www.hbknitrianskirytieri.sk Farská hokejbalová liga [email protected]; www.fhbl.ccvcnitra.sk Nitrianska hokejbalová liga www.nhbl.sk VOLLEYBALL Volleyball has been played in an unorganized form in Nitra already after 1918 in both secondary schools, but also in the various parts of the town and at the swimming pools, where the youth used to meet. Th e history of the present-day VK Ekonóm club started in 1952, when the men‘s volleyball division at the Slávia Physical Training Association of the College of Agriculture in Nitra was established. Volleyball became one of the most popular and most successful sports in the history of the college, now the Slovak Agricultural University. At present, the volleyball team called VK Ekonóm SPU Nitra is active in the Slovak extra league. Th e great attention devotes to training the youth, what was refl ected in their results in junior categories achieving medals in championships in the Slovak Republic, and in some seasons, they became champions of the SR.

BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS - 1970 – advancement to the extra league - 1985 – Academic champions of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic - 1987 – champion of the First Slovak National League, qualifi cation for advancement to the extra league - 1989 – champion of the First Slovak National League, qualifi cation for advancement to the extra league

PERSONALITIES Ján Paška – merited with establishing the volleyball division at the Slávia Physical Training Association of the College of Agriculture in Nitra Trainers: Štefan Szalay – men‘s and junior trainer at VK, representative men‘s and academicians‘ trainer in the SR Peter Kalný - trainer at VK Players: Paška, Lietava, Morháč, Čaplovič, Felix, Antalík, Richter, Feješ, Belaj, Cehula, Rendek, Tománek, Ris, Vicena, Kamenár, Brezovský, Kottek, Dobák, Rajt, Ďurica, Mackovič, Mikula, Folkman, Zentko, Dvonč, Kanás, Hukel, Pavlík, Kraščenič, Stumpel, Látečka jr., V. Holla, B. Holla, Bíro, Kučera, Bystrický Paška, Kožík, Klimek, Pažcký, Uzskay and others

VK Ekonóm SPU Nitra Čsl. Armády 1, 94976 Nitra [email protected]; www.volejbalnitra.sk Women‘s volleyball in Nitra was formed in the 1950s in the townwide physical training association, Lokomotíva, and was later embraced by the College Physical Training Association Slávia. During the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the association maintained its effi ciency on an above average level within the First Slovak National League. At present, two volleyball divisions are active in Nitra, functioning in the women‘s extra league. Th e volleyball division of the Constantine the Philosopher University is a steady participant in the highest competition, but has not achieved signifi cant success so far. Its best placement was ranking 5th in the seasons of 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. Th e other division, called COP Nitra (Centre for Olympic Preparation) is established at the Sport Grammar School in Nitra under the auspices of the Slovak Volleyball Federation. Besides the women‘s team, the COP Nitra club has a junior women‘s and cadets‘ team, too. Its main aim is to provide a complex sports preparation, including training and the competition process, for talented female players. Th e biggest achievement of the club was the 2nd rank in the Women‘s Extra league in 2007/2008.

VO UKF Nitra Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 94901 Nitra COP Nitra Slančíkovej 2, 949 01 Nitra +421376531641 [email protected]; www.copvolley.sk

Until 2008, beach volleyball was played in Nitra only occasionally. Since that year, however, the 1st ABC Nitra club (the fi rst amateur club of beach sports in Nitra), with the support of the town, provides regularly organized competitions to the public: the Nitra Beach Volleyball League, NBL Open - Slovak amateur championships, and the Junior NBL for pupils and students of primary and secondary schools. Besides beach volleyball, the club pursues beach tennis, beach football and beach handball as well.

1. ABC Nitra Novomeského 10, 94901 Nitra [email protected]; www.nbl.sk BASKETBALL Th e foundations of basketball in Nitra were laid in the 1950s, when the Physical Training Association was established at the College of Agriculture. Th e real development of basketball took place in 2002, when the men‘s basketball club Kcero SPU Nitra made it to the highest Slovak competition. In their season as freshmen, they received bronze ranking. Th ey achieved an even more signifi cant success in the season of 2004/2005, when the team of Nitra gained the fi rst champion title in the modern-day history of the club. During the subsequent seasons, Nitra did not get lost in the Slovak league, and celebrated their second big success, the title of champion, in the season of 2008/2009. In the years 2010 and 2011, under the leadership of Ľubomír Urban, the team of Nitra was one of the biggest favourites of the league but, in the end, they missed the desired fi nal step, the victory, in the fi nal match in both seasons. For the basketball in Nitra, the season of 2011/2012 was, in several aspects, historic. As the fi rst Slovak team, they presented themselves in the European competition of the Eurochallenge Cup, where they ranked third. In that season, the club achieved their historic, fi rst victory in the , and concluded the season with a third place in the Extra league.

BASKET NITRA s.r.o. Rybárska 31, 949 01 Nitra bkspunitra@gmail. com, www.bknitra.sk

Th e Junior Basketball Club BKM Junior of the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra was established in 2004, emerging from the need to organize basketball for school-age children. It focuses mainly on training the youth, especially the girls. Th e first success of the club was gaining the silver medals in the junior category in 2009. In the last three years, the club achieved two champion titles, three silver and two bronze medals in various categories.

BKM Junior UKF Nitra Rybárska 27, 949 01 Nitra +421905442262 [email protected]; www.bkmnitra.sk HANDBALL Women´s handball had great achievements mainly in the 1970s, when it became the champion of Czechoslovakia twice. In its modern- day history, the women‘s association of the Plastika Physical Training Association ranked second twice and third three times, and won the Slovak Cup in 1997. However, they haven‘t managed to achieve the highest ranking yet. Nevertheless, thanks to the results they achieved women‘s handball ranks among the historically most successful team sports in Nitra. Th e University Ladies‘ Handball Club ŠG Nitra, established in 2002 by former handballers of Nitra, aims at building upon the achievements of Plastika Nitra. In a short span, they built up a pyramid of junior associations with a number of medal rankings and 5 titles in pupils‘ and junior categories and they‘ve been gaining experience in the WHIL women‘s interleague for the second year. Th ey‘ve trained almost three dozens of cadet, junior and senior representatives, who are gradually winning recognition in top notch Slovak clubs, as well as abroad.

PERSONALITIES Trainers: Ján Kečkeméthy, Ivan Sečanský, Alojz Berec, Players: Jana Kernerová, Zora Štarkeová, Jana Kuťková, Gabriela Sabadošová, Mária Vargová, Júlia Kolečániová, Jana Šrámeková, Miriam Šimáková, Katarína Hanakovičová, Anna Kormanová, Renata Velická

At the turn of the 1950s and 60s, the Men‘s Handball Division under the Slávia Physical Training Association of the College of Agriculture gradually fought their way from the district competition to the division, later to the 2nd League. In the 1970s, the association competed in the Slovak national League, achieving high rankings in the lists.After the birth of the Slovak Republic and the subsequent reorganization, the association played in the 1st League where in competition season of 1998/1999 won and progressed to the Extra league. In the subsequent years was changed fl ooring in the hall of the Slovak Agricultural University, where the division functioned; however, the new fl ooring was not adequate for handball. Since the division did not have the proper conditions for training and championships, it meant the end of men‘s handball in Nitra.

UDHK Mostná 29, 949 01 Nitra +421905711976 [email protected] BOXING Th e history of boxing in Slovakia started right in Nitra, thanks to the Cirolníkov brothers: Vojtech and Herman. After WWII, boxing started to develop only in the mid-1950s, when a junior association was established. It was dominated by Pavol Kovalinka, who later became a very signifi cant personality in boxing not only in Nitra. Senior boxing reached its peak in Nitra during the 1970s; Nitra gained the title of the champion of Slovakia, and fi rst league bouts were very popular. It was during this time that the career of the second exceptional personality of Nitra boxing, Tibor Hlavačka, was formed. Th e modern-day history of boxing in Nitra started in 1993, when the division now called Box Club Stavbár Nitra became the umbrella organization of the Physical Training Association Stavbár Nitra. Since this time, boxers of Nitra have been regularly achieving top rankings in national championships, gaining international experience and success as well. Th e period between 2000 and 2006 meant the time of the rebirth of the senior team below the Zobor. After long years, Nitra presented itself in the season of 2000/2001 of the Czechoslovak League. Two years later, after stabilizing the association, they could match their strength against eminent and experienced units in the Slovak Extra league and, in the season of 2005/2006, Box Club Stavbár Nitra became the champion among Slovak associations. At present, the Nitra club achieved a sovereign position on the scene of Slovak boxing. A signifi cant fact is also their collaboration with the ŠKP Bratislava club, which supports the most successful boxers of the SR and, since these are at present found in Nitra, shifted their headquarters to Nitra. A defi nite support for the club is provided also by their collaboration with the Sport Grammar School in Nitra and with the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra.

BCS Nitra Chrenovská 16, 949 01 Nitra +421907732861 [email protected]; www.boxclubnitra.sk WRESTLING Wrestling has a rich tradition in Nitra. It is fi rst mentioned in 1909, when the Fire Brigade Sport Association was founded, composed of four sports: football, athletics, swimming and wrestling. Th e activities of the wrestling division were re-established in 1946 thanks to active competitors and enthusiasts of the sport: Karol Guderna and Štefan Hazlinger. Th e first achievements came in the early 1960s, when the senior association was renewed. Th e 1970s were exceedingly successful thanks to the eff orts of trainer Jozefa Svitač; under his training, highly effi cient belters like Bartek, Kmeť, Barborík and, mainly, his exceptionally successful trainees Dan Karabín and Július Strnisko, grew up in Nitra. In the early 1980s, the next generation of wrestlers reached the top, several of whom won laurels of junior and senior titles in championships of Slovakia as well as the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, and represented the country – Samotij, Brucker, the Lakatoš brothers. After the birth of the independent Slovak Republic, the success of cadets from Nitra continued within championships in Slovakia. Most successful among seniors was Ladislav Černek, senior champion of the SR. However, other contestants achieved good results too: Marekovi Novosad, Marián Vereš and Norbert Bödör. At present, wrestling is under the auspices of the Physical Training Association AC Nitra, where divisions like aikido, jujutsu and Recreational Physical Training and Sport function, too. In the honour of former trainer Jozef Svitač, the physical training association annually organizes a notable International Tournament for Children and Youth in free style called the Memorial of Jozef Svitač.

Telovýchovná jednota AC Nitra Parkové nábrežie 27, 950 50 Nitra +421376513271 [email protected]; www.acnitra.sk KARATE Development of karate in Nitra and foundation of the fi rst club TJ Slavia VŠP are attributed to Miroslav Tóth and Rudolf Farmadin. In 1991, the club was renamed to Sport Club Karate Farmes, which raised successful competitors like Martin Trenčanský and Mária Levická, medallists of junior European and World Championships, and Klaudio Farmadín, three times European Champion, three times academic World Champion and holder of a record number of medals from European and World Championships. A historic success at association competitions was achieved by the competitors of Farmex at club European Championship, where they ranked third, and repeated their success a year later at the club World Championship, from where they brought back a silver medal. At present, a new generation of young karatists is emerging which, thanks to the conscientious eff orts of trainers, is setting the pace in Slovak youth karate. In the honour of Rudolf Farmadín, the club organizes an event called „Memorial of Rudolf Farmadín“ where the international karate elite meet.

Klaudio Farmadín +421911894100, [email protected] www.farmexkarate.sk

Another successful club in Nitra is the Sport Club KARATE KACHI, established in 1999, originally as an extracurricular activity for children. In its short span of existence, it built a wide and superior member base, several of whom belong to Slovak, European or World elite. In the season of 2011/2012, the Sport Club KARATE KACHI became the most successful club in Slovakia. Th e most successful competitors of the club include Monika Višňovská, a thirteen-year-old champion of the SR, European champion in 2006, academic world champion and winner of several tournaments of the Golden League, Ivana Višňovská – several times champion of the SR, 3rd at the junior World Championship and 4th at the senior European Championship, Matej Urík, at present the most successful male representative in kata, several times champion of the SR, 1st in the Academic European Championship (2011), 3rd in Academic World Championship (2012), 3rd in cadet and junior European Championship, 4th in senior European Championship (2010, 2012)

Monika Višňovská +421903234087 [email protected]; www.kachi.sk MODERN GYMNASTICS Th e young discipline began to form within sport gymnastics through artistic gymnastics in the second half of the twentieth century. Th e first division of modern gymnastics started to function in 1974 at the Physical Training Association AC Nitra, since 1976 under Physical Training Association Plastika Nitra under the leadership of veteran trainer Valéria Sahulčíková. In the 1980s and 90s, eminent gymnast personalities included Mária Horská, Jana Miklovičová, Martina Polónyiová, Alena Pácalová, Naďa Šišková, Nora Korčeková, Monika Kilianová and Nina Šišková. In an eff ort to maintain the high standards of modern gymnastics in Nitra, the board of the Physical Training Association Plastika hired a professional Russian trainer, Ľubov Nikolajevna Gajduk, who married here and, under the name Kilianová, does a professional job in Nitra even today. In 2001, a Division of Modern Gymnastics was opened at the Eight-Year Sport Grammar School in Nitra, thanks to which a single, strong base of modern gymnastics was formed from the existing three divisions. In the new millennium, thanks to professional conditions, Nitra has become the hatching place for the representation of the Slovak Republic. Modern gymnasts of the Sport Club at the Eight-Year Sport Grammar School participate in top notch world events: European and world championships in individual programmes and in team compositions. Gymnasts achieving most signifi cant success in these top events include Michaela Mičíková, Zuzana Compelová, Katarína Vargová, Petra Máčalová, Ivana Dermeková and Renáta Smilnická.

Oddiel modernej gymnastiky ŠK ŠOG Nitra Slančíkovej 2, 949 01 Nitra [email protected] www.sportgymnr.sk FIGURE SKATING Skating, in its natural form, was present in Nitra already in the mid 1880s on the frozen river and fl ooded meadows. With the gradual development of ice hockey, fi gure skating also raised its voice, mainly thanks to Július Gisser. In the modern-day history of fi gure skating, we can talk of the stability and performance growth of competitors mainly in the years 2000 to 2005. Th e credit goes to the collaboration with the world elite in fi gure skating, mainly with Igor Matcypura, the fi rst foreign competitor in Slovakia who brought self-confi dence and a new attitude to the division. Since 2005, the club functions under the name of HK Nitra KRASO. In 2006, another fi gure skating club, the Krasoklub of the Town of Nitra, was established with the aim to organize the training of fi gure skating skills in the form of extracurricular activities, and to ensure the development of young talents for competitive sport. Th e clubs are attended by prospective, beginner children as well as experienced competitors with top rankings within Slovakia. Th e biggest personalities of fi gure skating in Nitra include Viliam Gonda, Kveta Matejová, Zuzana Okoličányiová, Igor Matcypura, Zuzana Babiaková, Lucia Starovičová, Zuzana Nagyová, Simona Ocelková, Lujza Halásová, Katarína Babalová.

HK Nitra KRASO Jesenského 2, 949 01 Nitra [email protected]; www.krasonitra.sk Krasoklub mesta Nitra Kláštorská 74, 949 01 Nitra [email protected] TENNIS Th e fi rst tennis players grew up in the town below Zobor already in the fi rst decade of the twentieth century. Gradually, a wide member base was formed in Nitra, part of which practiced recreational tennis, and the other part pursued competitive tennis. One of the most successful clubs which brought up quite a number of professional tennis players is the Tennis Club Nitra. As an independent club, it came into being in 1991 under the name of Slávia at the College of Agriculture in Nitra. From the sports aspect, mainly the years 1991 and 2003 abounded in sports events of international signifi cance. In the winter indoor European championship of boys under 16, the participants included now world-famous tennis personalities like Rafael Nadal, Tomáš Berdych, Sergej Stachovskij, Gael Monfi ls and Lukáš Lacko. Th e tennis players of the Tennis Club Nitra achieved signifi cant success in association competitions. Th e female juniors gained the title of the Champion of the SR three times in succession (1998-2000). Th e women‘s association won the title of the Champion of the SR in 2003 and 2004, silver ranking in 2005, and bronze in 2002 and 2007. In the association competitions, besides the women‘s extra league association, six to eight junior and men‘s teams participate yearly. Th e biggest achievers include Tatiana Zelenayová, Igor Zelenay, Stanislava Hrozenská, Andrea Šebová, Ján Frančák, Mária Živčicová, Michaela Pochabová and Erik Csarnakovics.

TK Nitra P.O.BOX 10A, Ďumbierska 2, 949 01 Nitra [email protected] ATHLETICS Athletics in Nitra celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2009. In the beginning, it was practiced in the Štadión na Sihoti stadium, which it shared with footballers for long, and successful, years. Th e Slávia of the College of Agriculture left its deep mark on the history of Slovak and Czechoslovak athletics. Signifi cant personalities of that era included Prof. Korček, Jozef Šulgan, Ľudovít Čutrík, Ladislav Gál, Ľudovít Holka, Ferdinand Matejovič, Ladislav Petrovič, Peter Oravec, Miroslav Machata, Marian Páleník and Alojz Podolák. Since 1974, athletics in Nitra have had its own centre in the Athletics Stadium in Chrenová. Th e athletics division, as part of the Physical Training Association Stavbár Nitra, brings up a number of Slovak representatives, champions and record breakers, several of whom have participated in world competitions and olympics. With more than 300 registered members, at present it is one of the best athletics clubs in Slovakia.

AC Stavbár ŠG Nitra Tr. A. Hlinku 55, 949 01 Nitra [email protected]

CYCLING In Nitra, cycling is a sport with a long history and active participation. During the last few years, young cyclists of Nitra have gained medals in Slovak championships, ranked among the fi rst three in the Slovak Cup, and became members of the representative team of Slovakia. At present, two cycling clubs, active in developing road cycling, function in the territory of the town, and several other associations which represent other branches of cycling. Th e oldest cycling club in Nitra is CK Nitra, which has been training young cyclists for more than 20 years. Th e competitors of the club have proven this by regularly achieving top ranks in the Slovak Cup in cycling. Th e most signifi cant personalities of modern-day cycling in Nitra include Ivan Forgáč, Jakub Kolínek and Luboš Adamus. In the last few years, cycling in Nitra experienced a boom in the form of newly established phase competitions for the youth. Competitors from Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovenia regularly participate in this event, which is the only phase event in the territory of Slovakia.

CK Nitra Cyklo team Dószova 5, 951 01 Nitr. Hrnčiarovce [email protected] AMERICAN FOOTBALL Th e Nitra Knights club has been functioning in Nitra since 1997, and is one of the oldest clubs of this . In 2010, they gained gold in the 1st Slovak League of American Football and, a year later, ranked second.

[email protected]; www.nitra-knights.szm.com

FLOORBALL Th e Slávia Sport Club of the SPU DFA Nitra, active in fl oorball, has been functioning in Nitra since 2003. Th e leaders of the club set the training of the youth as their primary goal. Since fl oorball is a young discipline in Slovakia, the work with the youth will bring future results in senior categories, too. During the existence of the club, a strong youth base, from the youngest players, through girls till juniors, has been built which, at present, is one of the biggest in Slovakia, and is constantly expanding.

ŠK Slávia SPU DFA Nitra Nábrežie mládže 1, 949 01 Nitra [email protected]; www.dfanitra.sk

KORFBALL Korfball is the only mixed gender team sport in the world, which started to be played since 1993 in Nitra, too. Th anks to the eff orts of Jozef Kliment, the club called 1st KK Rapid Nitra was established, which has been successfully representing the korfball of Nitra for about ten years. At the turn of the millennia, after several problems, the club was divided into two sections and fi nally, in 2004, ceased to exist. In 2010, a korfball association was re-established in Nitra, which got integrated under the Slovak Agricultural University two years later, and bears the name KK SPU Nitra.

KK SPU Nitra Južná 220/29, 949 01 Nitra +421904547498; +421908131132 [email protected]; www.nitra.korfball.sk PARAGLIDING Th e beginnings of paragliding in Nitra date back to the mid-1990s, when the fi rst attempts to fl y over the peaks of the Pyramída and Žibrica took place. Th ese were mostly individual pilots or small groups pursuing this sport. In late 2007, the fi rst bigger group of enthusiasts was formed, and in 2009, the OZ Zair Nitra was established, which signifi cantly contributed to the development of paragliding in Nitra. At present, it has more than twenty active pilots under its auspices from Nitra and its close vicinity, and annually organizes an amateur competition in paragliding called Zobor Cup, where dozens of pilots from all over Slovakia participate.

Paraglidingový klub Zobor Air Nitra +421903152150 www.zair.sk

AEROKLUB NITRA Motorless fl ying / Motor fl ying / Parachuting / Aviation school

Aeroklub Nitra Dlhá 108, 949 07 Nitra – Janíkovce +421376561251, +421377334805 [email protected]; www.airportnitra.sk

CHESS Th e chess club of Nitra participates in fi ve top Slovak competitions, from the Extra league to League 4. In the past, it functioned under the name of ZŠK Slávia at the Slovak Agriculture University in Nitra, and its independent era began in 2008. Th e main aim of the association is to develop young talents, hire experienced trainers, and uplift chess in Nitra to the highest level.

Nitriansky šachový klub Baničova 6, 949 01 Nitra BOWLING In the past, bowling used to be labelled as a pub sport. Single bowling tracks could be found in several places in Nitra, but a double-track bowling court was built only in the early 1960s at the Sugar Refi nery, which was fully suitable for bowling competitions, in which the players of the Physical Training Association Slavoj of the Sugar Refi nery in Nitra participated. Since 2004 the club has been functioning under the name KK Slavia Nitra.

Kolkársky klub Slávia Nitra Štúrova 61, 94901 Nitra +421907433826 [email protected]

MOTORSPORT

FÉNIX MOTOKLUB Since 2003 the club has been devoted to motorsport and regularly organises happenings and events for motobikers and public. One of the most famous events organized by the club in Nitra is the TRIAL NITRA, an international championship with a wide representation of competitors from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and Poland.

Fénix motoklub Šúdolská 81, 949 01 Nitra [email protected]; www.mk-fenix.sk

INCAR REVCO TEAM started in 2000 and in the beginning, it organized car races uphill, the HILL CLIMB, where it leads the ranks in Slovakia as well as in Europe. At present, they are fi ghting for the top ranks in the ring races of FIA CEZ (Central European Zone) Circuit Racing Trophy all over Central Europe.

Incar Revco Team Vinárska 14, 951 41 Lužianky [email protected]; www.incar.sk SPORTS FOR PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY CHALLENGED SPORTSPEOPLE

ŠK TPAV NITRA – SPORTS CLUB OF THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED AND THE WHEEL-CHAIRED ŠK TPAV NITRA Th e sports club for the physically challenged and the wheel-chaired was established in Nitra in 1991 with the aim to promote sports for the physically handicapped. Th e club was founded by Viliam Franko, and its members include sportspeople not only from Nitra but from the whole of Slovakia. Th eir fi rst sports activities included table tennis, chess and light athletics; later, archery and swimming were added. Each discipline has its own centre; Nitra is the centre for archery, table tennis and chess.

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MEMBERS OF THE CLUB INCLUDE: František Velčic – world champion of the physically challenged in archery, New Zealand 1999, representative of the SR at the Paralympics in Sydney 2000 Miroslav Kačina – representative of the SR in archery at the Paralympics in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008

Športový klub TPaV Nitra Ľ. Okánika 6a, 949 01 Nitra [email protected]

ARABESKA Association for the development of special gymnastics, sports and dance founded for the needs of handicapped children and youth in the Nitra region to provide meaningful ways to spend their free time.

ARABESKA Chrenovská 16, 949 01 Nitra +421905716896 [email protected], [email protected]; www.arabeska.sk OLYMPIANS OF NITRA

ZUZANA ŠTEFEČEKOVÁ Slovak sports shooter, competing in the discipline of trap. Her shooting career started in the Fénix Shooting Club in Nitra; at present, she represents the ŠKP club, which is the Centre for the National Sports Representation of the Ministry of Internal Aff airs. She started with skeet, but since her junior years, she‘s been one of the best shooters in trap worldwide. In 2010, for the fi rst time in the history of Slovakia, she gained the title of world champion in shooting. She holds two silver medals, from the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

MATEJ TÓTH Th e Slovak athlete in 20-km and 50-km race-walking started his sports activities in the Stavbár Physical Training Association in Nitra and, since 2003, has been competing in the VŠC Dukla club in Banská Bystrica. In 2002, he became a Slovak junior record breaker in 10-km walking and, three years later, in 20-km walking in the under 23 category. At the World Cup in walking in Chihuahue (Mexico), he won the 50-km race with a 3:53:30 time. After Jozef Pribilinec, he is the second Slovak in history who managed to achieve this. In 2008, he participated in the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, where he ranked 26th in 20-km walking. Four years later, at the Summer Olympic Games in London, he reached the excellent 8th place with a time of 3:41:24 in 50-km walking.

MÁRIA CZAKOVÁ Th e Slovak representative in 20-km walking started her sports career in Nitra but, at present, her home club is VŠC Dukla B. Bystrica. Th e twofold champion of Slovakia represented our country in the Summer Olympic Games in 2012 in London.

MARCEL LOMNICKÝ Representative of Slovakia in hammer throw, the athlete of Stavbar Physical Training Association in Nitra, with a personal record of 77.43 metres. In the qualifying round for the Summer Olympic Games in 2012, he defeated his countryman, veteran star of the sport, Libor Charfreitag. However, he didn‘t manage to fi ght his way to the final round in London. With a throw at 74 metres in the qualifying round, he ranked 15th. SPORTS VENUES

TOWN SPORTS HALL, Dolnočermánska, Nitra • Sports area with a multipurpose fi eld for indoor sports (basketball, volleyball, handball, futsal, fl oorball, etc.) • Equipments for sporting and relaxing activities – fi t centre, climbing wall, squash, gym, small gym (aerobic, pilates, callanetics, ...)

SPORTS HALL OLYMPIA, Chrenovská 16, Nitra • Sports area with multipurpose fi eld, small gym, fit centre

SPORTS HALL OF SAU, Čsl. Armády 1, Nitra • Sports area with a multipurpose fi eld, indoor pool, fi t centre, motion studio

FOOTBALL STADIUM, Jesenského 4, Nitra

NITRA ARÉNA, Jesenského 2, Nitra • hokej, korčuľovanie, prenájom ľadovej plochy, škola korčuľovania, brúsenie korčúľ

ATHLETIC STADIUM TJ STAVBÁR NITRA, Tr. Andreja Hlinku 55, Nitra

SKATEPARK, Športovo-rekreačný komplex Popradská – Kmeťova, Nitra • Multipurpose fi eld, skateboard track, skateboard pool

TOWN BATH, Kúpeľná 4, Nitra • Swimming pool, sauna

TOWN SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, Jesenského 3, Nitra www.sarznitra.sk Project was co-fi nances by ERDF – EU funds “Investícia do Vašej budúcnosti” “Investment into your future”

EURÓPSKA ÚNIA

SPORT IN NITRA Published by: City of Nitra, 2012 Text: Mária Snopová Graphic design: Peter Jánsky Translation: Monika Srnková Photo: Peter Baráth, MY Nitrianske noviny (Nitra newspaper), TASR (News Agency of the Slovak Republic), archive of sports clubs Print: Patria I., spol. s r.o. Edition: 3.000 units