Every successful championship depends on more than the athletes who step into the ring. Behind every fair contest is a team of dedicated officials whose professionalism, integrity, and expertise ensure that the sport is conducted at the highest standard. Among the people leading this work within the Fédération Internationale de Savate (FISav) is Vice President in charge of Officiating, Maja Odžić.
With more than twenty years of experience in Savate, Maja has devoted her career to every aspect of the sport. From competing as an elite athlete to becoming an internationally respected referee, instructor, administrator, and sports manager, she has built a reputation for professionalism, precision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Her journey began in the competition arena, where she represented her country, Serbia, at the highest level and won the silver medal in the Assaut discipline at the 2004 World Championships.
Although her competitive career brought international success, it was only the beginning of her contribution to Savate. Since becoming an official in 2005, Maja has steadily established herself as one of the sport's leading experts in officiating. Her experience spans national and international competitions as a referee, delegate, instructor, and assessor, giving her a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of competition management. In 2016, she assumed responsibility for officiating within FISav, a role that has seen her lead the continuous development of international referees and judges.
Today, as Vice President in charge of Officiating and a member of the FISav Executive Board, she oversees initiatives that strengthen education, certification, evaluation, and promotion pathways for officials around the world. Her philosophy is simple: the quality of officiating is fundamental to the credibility and continued development of Savate. Through regular seminars, mentoring programmes, and updated international standards, she works to ensure that every official is equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and consistency required at the highest level of competition.
Recent referee seminars in Finland, Slovenia, and online training programmes involving participants from across Europe, Africa, and Asia reflect her ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge internationally and expanding educational opportunities for officials. Her work has helped create a stronger and more connected global officiating community.
Away from her international responsibilities, Maja is equally committed to developing Savate at grassroots level. She is the founder and President of Savate Club Vojvodina in Novi Sad, Serbia, where she works alongside her husband and Head Coach, Miroslav Odžić.
Together, they have transformed the club into one of the most successful Savate organisations in the region. Under Miroslav's technical leadership and Maja's strategic vision and organisational management, Savate Club Vojvodina has produced numerous international champions and accumulated an outstanding 48 gold medals at European and World Championships. Their success is built not only on sporting results but also on creating an environment that develops athletes, coaches, referees, and future leaders of the sport.
Beyond Savate, Maja also contributes to the wider sporting community through her work with the Regional Sports Federation, where she supports governance, education, and organisational development initiatives. Her dedication to good governance and capacity building reflects a broader commitment to strengthening sport at every level.
Colleagues throughout the international Savate community know Maja for her professionalism, attention to detail, and calm leadership. Whether officiating at major championships, delivering referee education, or helping shape the future direction of FISav, she consistently demonstrates the values that define our sport: integrity, respect, excellence, and service.
As FISav continues to expand across new countries and continents, experienced leaders like Maja Odžić play an essential role in ensuring that the sport grows while maintaining the highest international standards. Her contribution extends far beyond the competition floor—it is helping shape the future of Savate for generations to come.