23 thousand footballs started to be distributed at all primary and secondary schools throughout Kosovo

28.03.2014

Around 23 thousand footballs started to be distributed at all schools of Kosovo. This campaign was opened by Kosovo Prime-minister, Hashim Thaçi, in a ceremony at the primary school “Ismail Qemali” in Prishtina. Distribution of these footballs that is called “One World Football” is an activity within the project of “Football4Peace”, which in Kosovo is implemented by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), in cooperation with the International Relief and Development and Sport Sans Frontières.

Besides Prime-minister Thaçi, also Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Memli Krasniqi, Ambassador of France in Kosovo, Maryse Daviet, directors of schools, the goalkeeper of the Kosovo Representative, Kushtrim Mushica and the Head of the School Sports Federation participated in this ceremony.

In his statement, Prime-minister Thaçi stated that the supply of all schools with these balls is stimulation for school sports, as an aspect of expansion and promotion of sports. He recalled moments of his childhood at school, stating that some time there were hard conditions for the development of sports at schools, since there were no sports fields, pitches and other equipment.

“As it is for you today, I believe, one of our favourite classes was the physical culture.

At that time, we did not have very good conditions for this class. We did not have the sports fields as you do today, and we used to improvise pitches. We all liked football. Almost all the school had just one ball.

When we played, it was difficult to find a goalkeeper, as everybody wanted to play at the pitch, and almost everyone was in offensive position. It is not that I had much talent for football, but I remember that marked several goals”, he stated before the school pupils and other participants.

Furthermore, he stated that today there are much better conditions and that the Government of Kosovo shall continue to increase its support for the sports. Additionally, the Prime-minister stated that now the youth can make their dream come true, to play for Kosovo.

“Sport is a means of peace and union among the people. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has invested in stadiums, fields and polygons at schools and cities. Soon, we shall start building a modern stadium in Prishtina.

We have prioritised the school sports, since through these you can be developed, you can develop your talent, and in future, we shall have many more eminent athletes”, he stated, while expressing ones gratitude and congratulating the organizations as Sporti Pa Kufij (sports without borders) and International Relief and Development and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for this project.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Memli Krasniqi has estimated this project as among the most important within the priorities of MCYS in order to advance school sports and spread the sport in general.

Whereas, Estelle Maître, the directress of Sport Sans Frontières for Kosovo, considered that through this project it is aimed to bring people close without gender, race, ethnicity distinction, through sport by promoting peace. “Sport is not only to play or win, but rather, it is also a means to get people united”, she stated, adding that besides the distribution of footballs also trainings and tournaments of football shall be organised.

Meanwhile, Enver Hajredini, Head of School Sports Federation, estimated the work and commitment on this project, supporting and promoting school sports. He specifically thanked Minister Krasniqi for his high and consistent commitment on the development of sport. Hajredini said that the Federation he manages shall work even harder for many more qualified competitions throughout Kosovo.

Whereas, goalkeeper of the Kosovo Representative in football, Kushtrim Mushica, recalled his childhood at school, stating that it was a difficult journey. He said that new generations now have the necessary conditions and their dreams are coming true. “Sport stimulates children to build their sportive and humanitarian character” said Mushica.

The project in question, besides distribution of these balls, includes also different trainings on sports across schools, as well as football competitions.

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