Vushtrria, 16 July, 2022
The opening ceremony of the Kosovo Paralympic Games for 2022 began with the extraordinary news that Kosovo has become a full member of the International Paralympic Committee and that for the first time it will be part of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, as well as from now on every the other European and world activity that is organized under the auspices of the International Paralympic Committee.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, began his speech at this ceremony by saying that there was no better place for this extraordinary news and that there was no better news for this event.
“Allow me to congratulate you all the acceptance of Kosovo in the International Paralympic Committee. In 2024, as President Njomza Emini said, we will mark the first participation of Kosovo in the Paralympic Games. I congratulate the Kosovo Paralympic Committee for their commitment towards the realization of this major and common goal”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
He said that this success, in addition to enabling the representation of Kosovo in the international arena, the most important thing is that it has opened many doors for countless opportunities for the development of sports for people with disabilities within our country. “The athletes with disabilities of Kosovo now have the opportunity to dream of the Paralympic medal”, declared Prime Minister Kurti, adding that athletes with disabilities are living confirmation that the impossible becomes possible.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Kurti recalls that on December 3 of last year, on the International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the year 2022 was announced as the Year of Persons with Disabilities. “As a government, we will continue the work and maximum support for an inclusive society with chances, opportunities and rights for everyone,” he said.
At the end of his speech, addressing the athletes participating in the 2022 Kosovo Parasports Games, he invited them to celebrate their achievements, to be proud that their skills can and will change the world for many, many people, and above all during this weekend to have fun and play fair. “Sport is the best platform through which diversity is celebrated and differences are embraced”, said Prime Minister Kurti, among other things.
The full speech of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti
There was no better place for this incredible news, but also no better news for this event which made us all proud. So, your annual activity that shows your vitality and energy, talent and confirms successes that we all covet.
Honoured Mrs. Njomza Emini, President of the Paralympic Committee of Kosovo,
Honourable vice president, Mr. Tishuki
Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mr. Hajrulla Ceku,
Honourable Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mrs. Daulina Osmani,
Honourable Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr. Bardhyl Dobra,
Honourable ambassador of France in Kosovo, Mrs. Marie Christine-Butel
Honourable ambassador of Croatia in Kosovo, Mrs. Danijela Barishic
Honourable EULEX Ambassador, Mr. Lars-Gunnar Wigemark,
Honourable Ambassador of the OSCE, Mr. Michael Davenport,
Dear ladies and gentlemen, athletes, coaches and sports fans from all over the world,
It is my great pleasure to be here among you today, where together from the municipalities all over Kosovo we are opening the Kosovo Parasports Games for 2022.
On 3 December of last year, on the International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we declared the year 2022 – the year of persons with disabilities. Although the work to ensure the guarantee and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities is our permanent commitment, we declared 2022 the year of persons with disabilities, in order to work together more and better to ensure inclusiveness and opportunity for everyone.
Physical activity and sports enable all of us to stay healthy, learn new skills, and be closer to each other despite our differences. Sports is the best platform through which diversity is celebrated and differences are embraced.
All of you present here today, but also others who are active in sports, surely there has been for you an important moment in your life, when because of sports, your disability is your strongest weapon. Where others have seen weakness, you find a way to maximize what you can do – which then seems unattainable and even imaginary to others.
Therefore, it is the athletes with disabilities, who prove to everyone, that if you are given the opportunity, you can do amazing things. For this, we all together must continue our maximum efforts to guarantee this opportunity for everyone.
The disabled athletes of Kosovo now have the opportunity to dream of the Paralympic medal, after Kosovo became a full member of the International Paralympic Committee. Athletes with disabilities are living confirmation that the impossible becomes possible.
Allow me to wish you all the acceptance of Kosovo in the International Paralympic Committee. In 2024, as President Njomza Emini said, we will mark the first participation of Kosovo in the Paralympic Games. I congratulate the Kosovo Paralympic Committee for their commitment towards the realization of this major and common goal.
This acceptance, in addition to enabling the representation of Kosovo in the international arena, the most important thing is that it has opened many doors for countless opportunities for the development of sports for people with disabilities within our country. Therefore, this external success will also affect for good internally.
As a government, we will continue the work and maximum support for an inclusive society with chances, opportunities and rights for all.
Finally, allow me to address the athletes participating in this competition:
Celebrate your achievements and be proud that your skills can and will change the world for many, many people. Above all, during this weekend, have fun and play fair. In the face of your energy, diligence and talent, the rest of us feel handicapped.
I wish all the participants the best of luck.
Thank you very much and congratulations once again.
Last modified: July 18, 2022