As the decision-making body, the Chamber of Deputies voted in favour of a bill designating oina as Romania’s national sport. The measure also designates May 9 as National Day of Oina, according to Romania Insider.
Oina is a team sport similar to baseball but a more simple version of it. A traditional sport in the country, the bat-and-ball game survived the test of time but is less popular today.
“The National Day of Oina will be marked by the Romanian Oina Federation and its affiliated members, by sports clubs/associations, by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sports, by organizing and participating in sporting or social events with the aim of informing and promoting the importance of practising the national sport, oina,” reads the bill.
Central and local public administration authorities, members of civil society, and businesses may offer material or logistical assistance or make available sporting facilities for the organisation of activities commemorating this day.
The proposed legislation also establishes the “Rediscover Oina” national programme to promote the sport, which will be administered by the Romanian Oina Federation and its connected sports bodies. The programme will be financed by monies allocated individually in the state budget, budgetary allocations through the Ministry of Sports, and, if possible, local budget money.
The proposed law stipulates that the Romanian Oina Federation must provide by October 1 of each year the activities suggested for direct funding from the state budget of the “Rediscover Oina” initiative for the next year.
The bill also has to be signed into law by the president.
Foto credit: Facebook / Federația Română de Oină
Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews
