On 6 January, Serbian archery lost one of its most influential coaches. Miljko Čolović passed away at the age of 65, leaving behind a legacy built over more than four decades of dedication to the sport.
Born in Niš in 1960, Čolović was among the pioneers who shaped the development of archery in Serbia. In 1984, together with his father, he founded an archery programme in his hometown, laying the foundations for the growth of the sport in southern Serbia and establishing what would become one of the country’s most successful archery clubs.
He enjoyed a successful career as an athlete and remained active as a competitor until the late 1990s. However, he will be remembered above all as a coach who trained several generations of Serbia’s most accomplished archers, many of whom continue to compete at the highest level and hold national records.
Čolović began his coaching career in the late 1980s, taking his first professional steps at seminars across the former Yugoslavia, before obtaining official FITA coaching licences through seminars held throughout Europe. He went on to develop a comprehensive Serbian archery coaching programme, which became his life’s work. From 2002 until 2023, he served as a national coach of Serbia, retiring only when his health no longer allowed him to continue in an official capacity.
His passion for archery never waned. He continued to educate himself, mentor athletes, and support his club until the very end. Just two weeks before his passing, he accompanied his club’s youth team to a competition.
The news of his death came as a profound shock to the archery community. Miljko Čolović will be remembered not only as an exceptional coach, but also as a friend and a man of great integrity. He is survived by his wife and two children. His contribution to Serbian and international archery will not be forgotten.