KK Rabotnicki marks 80 years and unveils long‑term recovery plan

KK Rabotnicki marked its 80th anniversary with a press conference on September 11, 2026, where club officials outlined a multi-year recovery and growth plan ahead of the new season. The leadership presented measures to stabilise finances, rebuild the organisation and push the club back to the top of Macedonian and regional basketball.

New management, debt reduction and emphasis on youth

Aleksandar Stojkovski, chairman of the club’s board, opened the conference by celebrating the milestone and promising a special commemorative event to be announced later. He said the club has gone through a difficult period that peaked last season and described a comprehensive project to repair the club’s financial and organisational foundations.

Stojkovski said the plan will prioritise resolving outstanding obligations and restructuring the club so it can compete regionally and in Europe, while forging partnerships with top professionals. He also stressed a renewed focus on youth development, with a programme intended to give talents the professional conditions they need to fight for first‑team places and eventually represent both Rabotnicki and North Macedonia.

Executive director Branko Radeski praised the support from the Municipality of Centar and its council after recent meetings, and credited the central government for funding the renovation of the club’s home arena, Lazar Lecic Hall. He reported significant progress on debts: "We have reduced 70% of the debts. We will need another month to bring us to a situation in which we can function normally," Radeski said, adding that new personnel will be appointed across all levels of the club.

Head coach Vladmir Mirkovski warned of a tough season ahead but expressed confidence in the roster and the club’s preparations: "The roster is there and I think we can fight for the highest targets. The signings are good. We have scheduled nine friendly matches and will work at a strong pace. Daren Govens, Kristijan Nikolov, Taril Brunchevic are strong additions, Rikic is here, captain Viktor Efremovski, Robev, Nakov, Faton Redzep — I think we have more than a solid team," he said.

Captain Viktor Efremovski called on supporters to fill the hall and be the team’s "sixth man". Efremovski also explained that plans to invite a EuroLeague team for the anniversary fell through because those clubs schedule a year in advance; instead he announced that Vojvodina, sponsored from Dubai, will visit next week as one of the high‑profile friendlies and invited everyone to attend.

The club underlined that the reconstruction is intended to be long‑term and organisational as well as financial. Officials say the aim is to restore Rabotnicki as a leading force in domestic basketball and to create a sustainable pipeline of homegrown players who can compete at regional and European levels.

Photo: press material from the event