Marin Cilic Foundation awards record 48 scholarships, inspiring a new generation of talent

The Marin Cilic Foundation awarded scholarships to its seventh generation of young talents this week, supporting a record 48 musicians and athletes. Since launching in 2019, the foundation has now provided 177 scholarships to help promising individuals pursue their passions.

Grants are awarded to grade school and high school-level classical musicians and athletes from individual Olympic-classified sports, with one collegiate-level recipient in each category. The funds help cover costs like equipment, training, competition fees, and travel.

This year’s winners include athletes in taekwondo, wrestling, skiing, track & field, sailing, cycling and fencing, as well as musicians playing instruments including saxophone, clarinet and violin. Past recipients have gone on to medal at European and World Championships, represent Croatia at the Olympics and study at top music academies.

The scholarship programme is a key initiative of the Marin Cilic Foundation, which works to provide financial aid and opportunities for young people. Alongside scholarships, the foundation has renovated six school laboratories, sponsored four tennis summer camps and built four multifunctional school sports courts, with a fifth under construction.

At the ceremony, former No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings Marin Cilic emphasised the importance of perseverance, self-belief and hard work.

“Watching these young talents bravely follow their dreams and not give up, despite challenges, is immensely inspiring to me,” Cilic said at the award ceremony. “Each year I feel a deeper sense of how important it is to provide them with support and show them that we believe in their dreams. Perseverance, belief in oneself, and tireless work are the keys to success, and I hope that our foundation will continue to accompany them on that journey."

A standout moment this year came when former recipient Zrinka Ljutic, an alpine ski racer, chose to sponsor a new scholarship recipient. A two-time past winner herself, Ljutic’s support highlights the growing cycle of past scholars giving back to the next generation.