MCYS allocates for KOC at least 150 thousand Euros for the year 2015 and 300 thousand for the year 2016

27.11.2014

Following admission of Kosovo Olympic Committee in the International Olympic Committee, thus implying more responsibility and more work, MCYS decided to allocate at least 150 thousand Euros for the year 2015 and 300 thousand Euros for the year 2016 to KOC.

This was stated by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Memli Krasniqi, following the meeting he had with the President of KOC, Besim Hasani, where they discussed for the steps which would be undertaken until 9 December 2014 when the General Session of International Olympic Committee takes place and where they will make the decision for full admission of KOC to IOC.

Minister Krasniqi said that in this meeting they made a recapitulation of latest developments following recognition of KOC by IOC, where the president Hasani informed also about the visits in Thailand, following invitation from the Association of National Olympic Committees and in Azerbaijan upon invitation from European Olympic Committee. He expects for the extraordinary session of IOC which is going to take place in Monaco, to have the full membership recognition into IOC, and in this case the minister promised to the president Hasani that MCYS will have an essential role in supporting IOC.

“Undoubtedly, following 8th and 9th, a new stage is expected to begin for the sports of Kosovo, a new chapter for the athletes and for sports employees, but it is also for the sports administrators and in particular for KOC first of all, as the cupola of the sports organisation in Kosovo,” the minister said further emphasising that it is necessary for KOC to increase its capacities and responsibilities parallel to the new requirements deriving from the recognition.

Minister Krasniqi promised to the heads of KOC, that as it has happened continuously, MCYS is going to financially support KOC in the future too, thus increasing further the support.
“I confirmed to the KOC president that following approval of the draft budget for the year 2015, and also within the midterm framework of expenses, for the years to come we have planned to allocate to KOC for the next year at least 150 thousand Euros in order to support the progress and functioning of KOC, whereas for the year 2016 as the closing year for this Olympic cycle, we have planned the allocation of at least 300 thousand Euros” he said.

Minister also estimated that following the increase of needs and demands for KOC, it is necessary to have a greater support for this organisation also from the private sector, now when we expect that Kosovo participates in the European Games 2015 in Baku and in Olympic Games 2016 in Rio.

He indicated that they discussed with KOC President Hasani also for concrete issues related to the steps to be undertaken, be them for enhancement of sports infrastructure, but also for further advancement of the respective legislation.

“Our proposal as a ministry is that for the next year we begin with drafting of a new law on sports taking into consideration the best European practices and to undoubtedly see for the possibility for improvement of sublegal acts according to recommendations and proposals which have been discussed in KOC, which need to undoubtedly be included, such as inclusion of potential awards from Mediterranean games into the regulation for state awards”, the minister said.

Whereas the president of KOC, Besim Hasani highly esteemed the extraordinary cooperation which they have had with MCYS, mentioning here that it is a cooperation which may be envied by other countries, and which resulted into recognition of KOC by IOC.

“It has been a great pleasure and a happy moment to understand that KOC was recognised by IOC Executive Board on 22 October, a recognition which does not come only as a result of work of KOC, but it results due to an excellent cooperation which I believe many countries would like to have such cooperation between non-governmental institution and governmental institution, in this case KOC of sports federations with the respective ministry of sport, where the case was given to thank also the minister Krasniqi for this extraordinary cooperation, for this achievement of our country”, Hasani said, thus considering it as one of the most important events following Declaration of the Independence of Kosovo, and as very close one to recognition which will be made by the United Nations Organisation for Kosovo.

The president of KOC, Hasani mentioned that by recognition of KOC from IOC, there are greater responsibilities ahead of Kosovo where the demands grow for advancement of performance of athletes, trainers, experts and of the people engaged in KOC.

“All these require financial support which we did not miss in the past too, and this news for increase of support in proportion to increase of needs is to be highly respected and it will undoubtedly help us a lot”, he said, further expressing that the personal engagement of the minister, Krasniqi has greatly facilitated the admission of KOC into IOC.

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