The organization of the 2030 Mediterranean Games in Kosovo, a historic event not only for Kosovo, is not moving at the best possible pace, as it is facing several delays, primarily related to the construction and preparation of sports infrastructure.
A lot of help, however, will be provided by Albania, which will be a co-organizer because the water competitions will take place in Durrës.
The fact that the Mediterranean Games are played in Kosovo and Albania constitutes a major event and a special moment for both countries and beyond, according to the president of the Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH), Fidel Ylli.
“This is an event not only for Kosovo and Albania, but for the whole region, because for the first time a pair of games, the Mediterranean Games, are taking place in our region, where three continents are participating: Asia, Africa and Europe. These are extraordinary games, with the participation of France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, African countries, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt. They are countries that have a very developed sport”, he says. The star.
Ylli says that these competitions are of special importance also due to the fact that, in a way, they also constitute a diplomacy campaign for the international recognition and promotion of Kosovo, through sports, this field, which, according to him, in this aspect, has moved faster than politics. In addition, he adds that the Mediterranean Games will have a great impact, for the better, on the touristic and infrastructural image of Kosovo.
However, the progress of the work around these games has not gone according to plans and knowing this, the head of the Albanian National Olympic Committee expresses concern about the pace of preparations, calling for the responsible institutions in Kosovo to commit to the maximum to guarantee a dignified organization.
“I think that the government of Kosovo is behind and the Organizing Committee must work day and night for these games to be realized in the best way. Albania also participates 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 receive our part that has been signed in the contract by the two ministers and the two governments. But the investment is all of the Kosovo Organizing Committee. We will participate where our Mediterranean Games athletes will come to Durrës, for the success of their arrival, for the state police, for the provision of the activity, for the hospitality, for the entire success of the water games that will take place in Durrës.
Ylli says that for the part of the competitions in Durrës, there is a need for close coordination between the local authorities and the Organizing Committee regarding the division of responsibilities and financial costs.
Speaking beyond the Mediterranean Games, Ylli mentions the success of Kosovar athletes in the international arena and the Olympic medals won over the years, appealing to the governments in Pristina and Tirana to see sport as a strategic priority and as an important diplomacy strategy.
As KosovaPress learns, a team of specialists from the International Mediterranean Games Committee will visit Durrës soon. They will inspect the selected site for water sports and determine the technical standards necessary for the construction of the competition infrastructure. Their findings will be crucial in determining the next steps and the associated costs of this part of the Games.
Beyond the challenges, Mediterranean 2030 remains a unique opportunity to promote, apart from sports, tourism, culture and the image of Kosovo and Albania in the world.
