Prishtina, 13 September, 2023
Dear Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Dear citizens,
On Friday last week, in Heraklion, Greece, with 55 votes FOR, Kosovo was officially announced as the host of the 21st edition of the Mediterranean Games, Pristina 2030.
With the mobilization of the entire government cabinet and in cooperation with the Kosovo Olympic Committee, we have brought the Republic of Kosovo the opportunity to organize the largest international event in the history of our country.
The concept with which we marked this victory is very special and in line with the vision of our Government for the development of sports in the country.
In partnership with Albania, we are marking the first time that this event is organized in a landlocked country. The Republic of Albania will enable us to use the coast of Durrës for the sport of sailing, which requires access to the sea.
We will welcome over 5,000 athletes from the 25 member states of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games, including 18 countries from Europe, 2 from Asia, and 5 from Africa.
Two states, with 11 municipalities. Prishtina, Gjilan, Mitrovica, Gjakova, Prizren, Ferizaj, Peja, Drenasi, Skenderaj, Podujeva, and Durrës, will be the centers where the 23 sports foreseen in the sports program of the Mediterranean Games will take place.
The improvement and building of the physical sports infrastructure is at the center of the Republic of Kosovo’s application and victory for the organization of the 2030 Mediterranean Games.
The total number of sports facilities, which are included in the initial concept of this project, is 24.
The approach, which has been followed in terms of physical infrastructure, reflects the needs of the sports community in the country, as well as the real capacities of our country to manage and maintain investments even after 2030.
• 10 sports facilities will be renovated, including the Palace of Youth and Sports;
• 4 new constructions including: National Stadium, Olympic Swimming Pool Complex, Tennis Complex and Holiness Stadium.
• 5 temporary infrastructure investments; AND
• 5 other projects which are under construction or completion, among which the Adem Jashari Stadium in Mitrovica and the Stadium of the City of Gjilan.
The Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, as well as the Minister of Local Government Administration, will speak to you about the details, plans and preparations at the press conference after this Government meeting. So, Daulina Osmani, who as a sportswoman was not lucky enough to participate in the Mediterranean Games, but as a political representative of sports in our Government, Elbert Krasniqi, who I am not aware of, was at the forefront of our successful candidacy. ever had ambitions in sports.
Investments and mobilization, which preceded this organization, go far beyond sports and will be a platform with multi-dimensional development impact.
The organization of such events, in addition to being an opportunity to improve or modernize public physical infrastructure, as well as to increase state attention for the advancement of sports, they also serve as a platform for consolidating our state image in the international arena, for economic development through sports tourism, but also the creation of new jobs.
This is an important moment for us as a country to prove our potential to do great things.
So, once again, congratulations to everyone, and for the work ahead of us, blessed priests.
Thank you.
Last modified: September 13, 2023