50th Branko Hadziiljoski "Chaika" memorial in Tetovo becomes Macedonian Super Cup

The 50th edition of the long-running memorial tournament Branko Hadziiljoski "Chaika" will be held on October 7, 2026, in the sports hall of DSEU "8 September" in Tetovo. The event, organised by the Hadziiljoski family together with the Volleyball Federation of North Macedonia (VFM), will from this year also serve as the Macedonian Super Cup, to be played annually ahead of the new season.

Tradition reinforced — and a new competitive role

Organisers presented the jubilee programme at a press conference held at the Ministry of Sport. Present at the announcement were Minister of Sport Borko Ristovski, VFM president Petar Jovanovski and VFM vice‑president Ivica Hadziiljoski, who is the son of the tournament's namesake.

Ivica Hadziiljoski emphasised the tournament's history and the decision to elevate it to Super Cup status: "It is my great pleasure that we have reached the 50th jubilee edition of the tournament. I am very pleased that this year the tournament is in Tetovo, where it originally began, although in the past ten years it was used for the national teams of North Macedonia and was held in different locations. This year, together with VFM president Petar Jovanovski and Secretary General Filip Despotovski, we agreed that the tournament should develop into the official Macedonian Super Cup. This tournament, which we hold in honour of my late father, will gain a new role as the Super Cup, which will always be held before the start of the season. The tournament has a great tradition; many national teams and clubs have taken part, and I hope this year we will again see high‑quality matches between the best teams in North Macedonia from last season in both men's and women's competitions," he said.

VFM president Petar Jovanovski highlighted the tournament's importance: "The very impressive number says it all. A tournament with great tradition and added value to the sport. The best evidence are the teams and players who have been part of this event over the past 50 years. At the last European Championship there were three or four players who had played in the tournament and are now key figures for their national teams and among the best players in the world; previously they were also honoured at this tournament," he said.

Minister Borko Ristovski received a commemorative recognition from the organisers for the ministry's support. Ristovski described the collaboration with the VFM as an example of how joint work can boost volleyball nationally and praised the decision to make the memorial the country's official Super Cup: "I am particularly pleased that in recent years we have had excellent cooperation with the leadership of the Volleyball Federation of North Macedonia and that the joint efforts to invigorate volleyball have gained new momentum and the sport is regaining strength. Making this tournament the Macedonian Super Cup is further confirmation that the Federation has a plan together with the Hadziiljoski family for the good of volleyball and for preserving tradition. Organising a tournament for fifty years is truly an impressive figure and we, as a state, as the Ministry of Sport and as a government are always here to provide support and to help in any way we can. Events and jubilees like this show much more than a Super Cup; they show a family's dedication, love for volleyball and for sport. As Minister of Sport and a former athlete I know how to appreciate that and I will always be a friend to people who are true lovers of sport. Tomorrow, Tetovo will be the city where good things happen, where volleyball and North Macedonia as a country that promotes sport and true values will be showcased," he said.

The one‑day Chaika Super Cup schedule opens with the men's match at 17:00 between double‑crown winner Shtip UGD (Shtip) and league playoff and cup finalist GOK Borec (Veles). The women's Super Cup between champion Rabotnicki Skopje and 2026 Cup winner ZOK Vardar EM, both from Skopje, is scheduled for 19:30. Entry to the hall at DSEU "8 September" in Tetovo will be free; organisers invited all volleyball and sport fans to attend the jubilee.

Photo: press material from the event