New Kosova Report

More recognitions for Kosovo sports

Saturday, 28 June 2008

inistry of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Republic of Kosovo reports that on June 9 International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) has recognized and accepted with full membership privileges the Kosovo Wrestling Federation.

The Ministry also reports that International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has confirmed the membership acceptance of Kosovo Weightlifting Federation on June 18.

Valton Beqiri, the Kosovo Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports has recently attended the annual convention of World Sports Federations and Associations in Athens, Greece. Minister Beqiri used the opportunity to present the situation of the sports and its capacity in the Republic of Kosovo.

During the annual convention of the world sports federations, minister Beqiri sought recognition of Kosovo sports federations. He stressed that "his mission is to receive recognition of at least five Kosovo sports federation in order to fulfill the main condition for recognition from International Olympic Committee."

Despite of Serbia's attempts at using politics to stop Kosovo participation in international sports tournaments, many national federations have vowed to invite Kosovo to international sporting events. Since Kosovo declared independence, many countries have already invited Kosovo's sportsmen to various international tournaments.

Sports federations of the newly-fledged nation have established a joint lobby group to expedite the recognition process by international sports organizations. FIFA, FIBA and many others have placed Kosovo into their agenda of recognition although their leaders have stressed that they will follow political recognition by the United Nations, which virtually leaves Kosovo out of the major international sporting events for the time being.