Minister Krasniqi met President of International Olympic Committee, Tomas Bach

Today, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Memli Krasniqi, met the President of International Olympic Committee, Tomas Bach, in Turkey, within the frame of SportAccord Convention. In this meeting, the Minister was accompanied by Head of Kosovo Olympic Committee Besim Hasani, whereas, Mr. Bach was accompanied by Pere Miro, director of National Olympic Committees in the International Olympic Committee.

Minister Krasniqi and Head Hasani also met President of SportAccord and meanwhile President of International Judo Federation, Marius Vizer, as well as director of Football International Federation Association (FIFA), Walter Gagg.

In the meeting with Tomas Bach, Minister Krasniqi talked about general sport developments in Kosovo, achievements and challenges in this regards. He mentioned that there was an immense progress in the recent years and highlighted the commitment of the Government of Kosovo to assist the advancement of sports, always guided by Olympic Chart principles. The Minister congratulated Mr. Bach for his duty and for the important developments that happened up to now under his management.

“The Republic of Kosovo deserves to be part of sports international mechanisms and be equal in every competition. This right is warranted also by the Olympic principles. We have waited with patience up to now and have had a compatibility to make the application process for acceptance in the International Olympic Committee in a coordinated way. We believe that this moment has come now that Kosovo, our athletes become part of the Olympic family” Minister Krasniqi stated.

In his turn, President of IOC, Tomas Bach, congratulated Minister Krasniqi and Head Hasani for positive developments in the sport of Kosovo and for the investments that are done for its advancement. He stated that Olympic principles apply for the whole world, and shall apply also for Kosovo.

The parties agreed to have continuous communication and coordination until Kosovo applies for acceptance in IOC.

Whereas, in the meeting with President of SportAccord and International Judo Federation, Marius Vizer, it was discussed about the possibilities of cooperation also in the future advancement of the Sport in Kosovo. Minister Krasniqi congratulated Mr. Vizer for his work as President of SportAccord and JIF. Minister Krasniqi notified Mr. Vizer on the developments of sport in Kosovo in general, and commitment that is done by all sports community along with state institutions. Expressing his gratitude to Mr. Vizer for the immense support he has provided to the sport of Kosovo, Minister Krasniqi notified him that he has proposed to the President of the Republic of Kosovo, to award him the Presidential Medal of Merit.

In his turn, Marius Vizer thanked the Minister for the proposal given for the decoration, and estimated the work done by Minister Krasniqi and Kosovo sports community for the development of sport and its international advancement.

He promised for continuous support on the internationalization and development of sports in Kosovo. Mr. Vizer said that the success of Kosovo in judo is a good proof that the athletes from Kosovo deserve to be equal part of every international competition. In this regards, he promised continuous engagement and cooperation.

In the meeting with Director of FIFA, Walter Gagg, it was discussed for the developments of football in Kosovo. Minister Krasniqi thanked Mr. Gagg for his presence at the first friendly match of Kosovo, which took part on the fifth of March versus Haiti. It was also discussed about the next coming matches that the Representative of Kosovo shall organize with Turkey and Senegal. The Minister said that the Government is ready to support KFF just like it did at the first match for an as dignified organization of these matches as possible. Within commitments of the Government, Minister Memli Krasniqi notified Mr. Gagg on its decision to build a National Stadium of Kosovo in Prishtina, with a capacity from 25 to 30 thousand seats. Furthermore, he notified also for other investments that the Government shall make in the renovation of the stadium in Prishtina.

The Minister said that Kosovo shall coordinate constantly with FIFA for international friendly matches, but also in other processes which relate with the development of football and membership of KFF in FIFA. Appreciating the support FIFA has given to Kosovo, the Minster notified Mr. Gagg that he proposed President Sepp Blatter to be awarded a Presidential Medal of Merit.

Walter Gagg highly estimated the decision of the Government of Kosovo for the construction of a new stadium. He estimated the organization of the match Kosovo – Haiti, and the seriousness on organization of the next matches. Mr. Gagg said that FIFA shall pay special attention to Kosovo, its friendly matches and the internationalization process in football.

Minister Krasniqi and Head of KOC, Hasani have also organized meetings with other international Olympic and non-Olympic federations, in order to accept federations of Kosovo. In this occasion, special attention was paid to the sport of gymnastics, athletics and swimming.

This is the 12th session of the biggest sports convention, SportAccord. Within the SportAccord are gathered the most important Olympic and non-Olympic federations of the world. In this session of convention that is held in Turkey, around 1500 representatives have participated from International Olympic Committee, federations, sports associations, donators and state officials.