The Slovak Association of Reservists is an apolitical organization with a long tradition and nationwide scope. It is an important partner of the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic and one of the key organizations focused on preparing the civilian population for national defense and on shooting training, primarily through defense-sport competitions.
Today, it holds the status of the largest defense-sport organization and simultaneously the second-largest sport-shooting organization in Slovakia (after the Slovak Shooting Federation). It has a large base of active members, as well as occasional members and supporters.
To create optimal conditions for all citizens of the Slovak Republic to acquire proper habits in the safe handling of short and long firearms, to improve their shooting skills, and to enhance the defense readiness of the civilian population, primarily through defense-sport competitions.
To become a key partner of the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic in enhancing the defence capability of the state, in the context of preparing and actively engaging the civilian population in the defence and security policy of the Slovak Republic, and in the development of the National Defence Forces project with regard to improving the quality of shooting training.
In the former defense-oriented organization Zväzarm, more than a dozen interest-based, sporting, and defense-related groups were voluntarily organized — such as aviation, radio communication, modeling, diving, cynology, automotive clubs, and, of course, shooting clubs. Many members of the reserve command corps of the former Czechoslovak Army were actively involved and regularly participated in various shooting-sport activities.
To support work with reserve personnel within Zväzarm, the Central Committee of Zväzarm in Prague was tasked with establishing Clubs of Reserve Officers and Warrant Officers (KDPZ) between 1964 and 1968. Based on this initiative, eight KDPZ clubs were established in 1966 in Czechoslovakia, two of them in Slovakia — one in Košice and one in Bratislava (with unofficial origins dating back to 1964).
After the establishment and activation of the first eight KDPZ clubs, the 1st National Assembly of KDPZ took place in Prague in 1968. Colonel (ret.) Emil Vízner from Bratislava was elected chairman of the organization.
KDPZ clubs were formed primarily within industrial enterprises and districts such as Žiar nad Hronom, VSŽ Košice, ZŤS Dubnica nad Váhom, CHZJD Bratislava, LIAZ Veľký Krtíš, Slovakofarma Hlohovec, Považská Bystrica, Komárno, Rimavská Sobota, and others. Their members served as chiefs and instructors in recruit training centers in Prešov, Trenčín, Dolný Kubín, Žilina, Martin, Dubnica nad Váhom, Nové Zámky, and many more.
International cooperation activities were carried out mainly with partners from Poland, Hungary, and Ukraine.
Despite the complex political situation at home and abroad in 1969, KDPZ clubs continued their interest-based activities and maintained close cooperation with the armed forces, including military units, regional and district military administrations, and military academies in Košice, Banská Bystrica, Levice, Michalovce, Kežmarok, Prešov, Malacky, Sereď, and others.
According to statistical data from 1982, the organization included 274 clubs with 13,200 members in Slovakia.
After the Velvet Revolution, Zväzarm transformed on 24 March 1990 into the Association of Technical Sports and Activities (ZTŠČ). After the dissolution of the federation, the Association of Technical and Sport Activities of Slovakia was founded in 1992. It included the Defense Activities Association, from which several independent organizations gradually emerged — the Civil Protection Association, the Association of Defense and Technical Activities, and the Association of Reserve Soldiers.
After Slovakia became an independent state in 1993, the 1st Congress of the Association of Reserve Soldiers took place in Tajov, where Miroslav Janos was elected president. In the same year, the first annual shooting competition called the “Shooting Pentathlon” was held in the military training area on Turecký vrch.
Besides sports activities, the Association was also active internationally. In 1993, it became a member of the Gaminger Initiative and, since 1999, an associate member of CIOR — the worldwide confederation of reserve officers.
At the VIII Congress of the Association in October 2019 in Budmerice, President Major (ret.) Miroslav Jánoš resigned from his position. This marked the beginning of a major organizational restructuring. Captain (ret.) Ing. Michal Kvanta was elected as the new President.
With the arrival of the new President, the Union gained greater developmental momentum and began responding more effectively to the emerging social and political changes at home and abroad. Together with the Vice-President for Marketing and Communications, Ing. Rastislav Maršálek, and the Vice-President for International Affairs, Ing. Ladislav Balázs, Sr., they formed a strong "troika" that became the driving force behind the changes. The activity of the Union's leadership reached an – at that point – unprecedented level.
A new management concept was adopted at the level of the Central Council, consisting of the President, four Vice-Presidents specializing in key areas (sport, international affairs, marketing, and cooperation with ministries), and representatives of the four regional divisions – Bratislava, West, Central, and East.
Significant developments also occurred in relations with partner organizations, with the Association becoming one of the signatories of AVOZ SR – uniting military-focused civic associations closely tied to the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
At the 10th General Assembly, held on 28. 2. 2026 in Budmerice, the most significant change in approximately 30 years was approved — the renaming of the organisation to the Slovak Association of Reservists.
On the initiative of the Association of Soldiers of the Slovak Republic, the idea of closer cooperation emerged, resulting in the establishment of the Association of Military Civic Organizations of the Slovak Republic (AVOZ SR). SAR (at that time still operating under the name SZVvZ) became one of the founding members of this association, and on 2 February 2023, at the first official meeting of AVOZ, its signatories signed a Memorandum of Mutual Cooperation of the founding members of the association.
Since 1993, the Association has been a full member of the Gaminger Initiative Europe (GIE), an international organisation of reserve soldiers’ associations from across Europe. Its aim is to support and activate reservist associations (associations of reserve soldiers) in member countries and to cooperate with them in enhancing European security and defence.
The Association actively participates in the activities of this international organisation, contributing to and conveying the views and position of the Slovak Republic at this international forum. Our Association has hosted GIE meetings on three occasions – in 2008, 2018, and most recently in 2025.
By joining SAR, you will become part of the largest defence-sports organisation in Slovakia. You will have the opportunity to participate in a wide spectrum of shooting competitions of various kinds. Our organisation is open to every law-abiding citizen of Slovakia with an interest in shooting activities and in developing their skills in this field. You will become part of a community of like-minded individuals and, through your own involvement, contribute to fulfilling the mission and objectives of the Slovak Association of Reservists.
Membership fees are negligible compared to the breadth of activities offered.
Na základe uznesenia X. snemu zo dňa 28. 2. 2026 Slovenský zväz vojakov v zálohe a športovo-branných aktivít mení svoj názov na
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