Hosting the 2030 Mediterranean Games in Kosovo, a historic moment not only for the country but also for the entire region, is facing serious organizational challenges.
The process is not progressing at the anticipated speed, mainly due to delays in the construction and preparation of sports infrastructure.
In this journey, Albania is expected to make an important contribution as a co-organizer, as the water sports disciplines will be held in Durrës.
The co-organization between the two countries turns this edition of the Games into an event of particular importance for Kosovo and Albania, but also beyond, as emphasized by the president of the Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH), Fidel Ylli.
"This is an event not only for Kosovo and Albania, but for the entire region, because for the first time a pair of games, the Mediterranean Games, are being held in our region, where three continents participate: Asia, Africa and Europe. They are extraordinary games, with France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, African countries, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt participating. They are countries that have a very developed sport," Ylli tells "Kosova Press".
According to him, beyond the sporting dimension, these games also have a clear diplomatic role.
He emphasizes that sport has served as a bridge of recognition for Kosovo in the international arena, often more effective than politics.
In addition to diplomatic promotion, Ylli estimates that organizing the Games will also have a positive impact on the country's tourist image and infrastructural development.
"We don't just look at it from the sports side, we also look at it as sports diplomacy, where not all UN countries have recognized Kosovo, but 206 Olympic committees around the world have recognized it. This shows that sports are many steps ahead of politics and this is a good opportunity for Kosovo to promote the country, to promote tourism, to promote the mountains and Alps of Kosovo, all its cuisine, all its sports infrastructure. And not only that, but the Kosovo government has also made some commitments, has signed a contract with the Mediterranean Games to invest in sports fields, sports palaces, stadiums, gyms, so that these games can be a model", continues Ylli.
However, preparations are not going according to the initial plan.
Acknowledging this reality, Ylli expresses concern about the current pace and calls on institutions in Kosovo to intensify their work to guarantee organization at the appropriate level.
"I think that the Kosovo government is behind and the Organizing Committee must work day and night to ensure that these games are carried out in the best possible way. Albania is also participating in these games, where all the water games will be in Durrës, where Pristina and Durrës will be, where we have undertaken with our staff and the Municipality of Durrës to be present, to assist in the development of these games and to take our share that was signed in the contract by the two ministers and the two governments. But the investment is entirely the responsibility of the Kosovo Organizing Committee. For the expenses that will be needed, we will participate where our Mediterranean Games athletes who will come to Durrës, we must participate in the issue of their visas, for the smooth running of their arrival, for the state police, for the security of the activity, for the hospitality, for the overall smooth running of the water games that will be held in Durrës," he said.
Regarding the organization in Durrës, he emphasizes the need for detailed coordination between local authorities and the Organizing Committee, especially regarding the division of financial and organizational responsibilities.
Speaking more broadly about sports, he recalls the achievements of Kosovar athletes on the international stage, including the Olympic medals won in recent years, and appeals for sports to be treated as a strategic priority by the governments in Pristina and Tirana.
"This is sport and that's why we are happy that Kosovo has hosted these games. It will promote the country, promote Kosovo's sport, where it has won medals in the last two Olympics, both Majlinda Kelmendi and Nora, but now Distria who have won Olympic medals in three games and this has only been done by sport in Kosovo, because Albania and Kosovo, apart from tourism and nature that God has blessed them with with the places they have, do not produce anything other than sport, champions, titles and medals. Therefore, our two governments should pay even more attention to sport, because sport is not just a competition, it is not just a medal, but it is also a sports diplomacy", declared Ylli.
Despite the current obstacles, the 2030 Mediterranean Games represent a rare chance to promote not only sport, but also tourism, culture and the international image of Kosovo and Albania./Express newspaper/
edition
t7 live
