Rugby Union and Oina Sports Federations receive the High Patronage of HM King Mihai I

Prince Radu has handed, on Tuesday, the High Patronage of His Majesty of King Mihai I distinction to the Romanian Rugby Union and Oina Federations, in a ceremony that took place at the Peles Castle in Sinaia, attended by Minister of Youth and Sports Gabriela Szabo and the chairman of the Romanian Olympics and Sports Committee (COSR), Alin Petrache.

Photo credit: (c) Anamaria TOMA / AGERPRES PHOTO

At the beginning of the ceremony that took place in the Throne Room, Prince Radu showed that sports and music are two domains that in the last century brought respectability to Romania, pointing out the need to encourage sports more.

"In the past one hundred years, there were two domains that brought respectability to Romania in absolutely every decade, even in those stained by crime or injustice. These two domains were music and sports. We must not wrong the other arts, but nothing else broke down barriers and made a name for itself better in European, (...) continental or world stages more than music and sports. That is why I believe the world of national sports should receive more recognition and encouragement", said Prince Radu.

The High Patronage of His Majesty of King Mihai I distinction was handed to the chairman of the Romanian Rugby Sports Federations, Haralambie Dumitras and to the chairman of the Romanian Oina (e.n. ? Oina is the Romanian national sport, considered in many ways similar to baseball and rounders) Sports Federations Nicolae Dobre.

At the end of the ceremony, Nicolae Dobre handed Prince Radu a tricolour shirt bearing squad number 1, and inscribed with "His Majesty King Michael I", but also an oina bat and ball, the latter bearing the tricolour and the symbols of the Royal House.

Minister of Youth and...