One of the members of the Board of Trustees of the foundation operating NEKA is Botond Szirmák, CEO of Provident Pénzügyi Zrt. (Provident Financial PLC), who started supporting the academy not only thanks to his love of sports, but due the fact that he explicitly believes in this model, which serves to educate the next generation. This has been our topic.

“What made you decide back then to take the opportunity to be a member of the Board of Trustees of NEKA? Did you have any attachment to handball, or had you been more motivated by the promising chance for a successful upbringing of the future generation?

“When I was in elementary school, I played water polo at KSI (the Central Sport School), but I also took part in many school handball matches, and I can say that I loved this sport very much, it was a fascinating experience for me to jump, rise from the ground and score a big goal. But back then, we had to choose at the beginning of high school: studies or sports, and I decided to study. However, I remained connected to the sport. Then, many years later, Provident established a cooperation with the Hungarian Handball Federation, and the company became sponsor of the national teams. It was a great pride to support a team of highly skilled players who are independent of clubs, bringing a new dimension to us in supporting the sport. It was during these times that I had met Tamás Mocsai, who raised the possibility of joining the board of trustees, and I said yes almost without thinking about it at all. Since I obtained my first degree as a teacher of English and history, it is inherently important for me to educate the younger generation. It was also inspiring that it had not been as much of a competitive, results-oriented hub as, for example, a professional sports association can be. I was happy to join an organization that aims to educate athletes we can later be proud of.

I was happy to join an organization that aims to educate athletes we can later be proud of.

“We not only know you as a person who loves sports, but also as an active participant in sports.

“I try to lead an active life; regular exercise is an important part of it. This includes going with my dog ​​for a big walk, but I have already run two half marathons, and most recently I have been cycling around Lake Balaton. I am doing all of this not only for myself, but also for the reason because our company employs 2,500 people who I want to set a personal example for, to motivate them in this way to take care of themselves. Therefore, I try to give it some publicity. For instance, every now and then I enjoy the experience of going to Balatonboglár, watching a match, or just walking around the academy, because that environment has a positive vibe and the atmosphere carries the promise of an encouraging future.

“If you had to characterize NEKA by three strong attributes, which would be those? 

“In the best sense of the word, it is results-oriented, and that does not mean match scores, but more centered around the focused work done with educating youth talent. The second word: homely. I really like the mentality I experience at the academy, the friendly atmosphere, the kindness, the direct manners. It is also extremely important to me that NEKA is based on values. The children who grow up here not only get the best out of their professional preparation, but also learn the basic values. And I would even add a fourth attribute, and that is: transparency. Decisions are made in the academy based on a clear and consistent set of rules, and the same applies for the board of trustees, and this is a very reassuring working method. 

We must adapt to the circumstances. And that is the point: man is a social being, we need to adapt, and in the current situation, we need to practice that day by day.

“How do you visualize the future of NEKA in, say, five years? What vision would you outline for our academy? Do you see more into it than the institution serving just a youth education base, any real chances of other progress?

“In our vision, we must always consider what we are building on. At NEKA, this foundation is very strong. Its mission is also clear and there is no doubt about it: to educate handball players for the sport that we will be proud of. I think that is what the future should be about. “It might be good for the women’s team to set their feet in the top division, or even for the boys if they were able to be promoted to the first level. The sport as a whole would also surely benefit from this. And with that - through a close relationship with the University of Physical Education - you can take big steps forward in the field of sports science, and the portfolio could almost certainly expand. 

The sport as a whole would also surely benefit from this.

“If you had to encourage young players in such an unpredictable situation as this one caused by the virus, what would you tell them?

“Two things. One is that it will not always be that way, so this bad period will end one day. And life itself is like that as well, most of the time unpredictable. For example, if we get in our car and would drive at our own pace, but we cannot because there is congestion in front of us, then we must adapt to the circumstances. And that is the point: man is a social being, we need to adapt, and in the current situation, we need to practice that day by day.

My other, and perhaps more specific, piece of advice to children is to think it over whether this situation has brought them an experience from which they can draw strength, or something that they can incorporate into their lives. And what can be learned from the plenty bad turn of events? That these will definitely make you stronger mentally.

“How did you take it that the girls could also prove themselves in the first division (NB I) within the framework of the agreement with SZISE?

“Previously, I only had known the NB I top teams and therefore thought it would be a very difficult process. But then I realized, maybe I only know those few teams because they have been put to the forefront, they play in international club tournaments. So there must be a different half of the field in the league that can be matched in strength. And this way, the thing seemed to become a little bit different. I think what matters is not which place finish the team will achieve in the league, but to gain experience so that you can see what level they are at.