Honorable President Tizzano,
Esteemed members of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Firstly, I would like to convey my heartfelt condolences to the Government of Greece and the families who have lost loved ones due to the devastating flooding here. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
It is of my great pleasure to be here today among all of you, in the beautiful and ancient island of Crete, in Greece – in this island of Greek gods and great men, from Zeus to Kazantzakis – we all feel small – and must do big things.
I’m here today with three ministers of my government and the mayor of our vibrant capital Prishtina.
We are truly honoured to represent our country and citizen’s aspiration to host the Mediterranean Games 2030, a sporting event which carries an immense historical, cultural, and geographical significance.
The idea of hosting Mediterranean Games in my beloved country, is not merely a competition but a reflection of our society’s dedication to promoting peace, honouring the past and cultivating a journey of continuous growth and advancement toward the future.
There is no stronger image of the city of Prishtina and all of Kosova – than its talented and boundless creative youth, and their unyielding determination for success. What truly sets Kosova apart – is its population with over 40% of its inhabitants under the age of 25, and an impressive 2/3 of them being under the age of 35.
Kosova is a sports country. Sport is in our DNA. The remarkable sporting achievements and our athletes’ commitment to excellence has positioned the country on the world stage – as a force to be reckoned with.
On a global scale, in the list of countries with less than 2 million inhabitants, Kosova ranks first when comparing the number of medals won at the Olympic Games with the number of population per country.
This is a fact, with only two participations in the Olympic Games.
Sport is a top priority of our state’s agenda.
I firmly believe that combining education with sports and intertwining sports with health represents the winning formula for nurturing and sustaining the well-being of our societies.
Dear members, this is the reason why we are here today, presenting this bid to host the Mediterranean Games, Prishtina 2030.
Our vision for the Games in Kosova extends far beyond athletic competitions. We are united to create a transformative experience for athletes, spectators, and all guests alike.
We pledge to invest in state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring the highest standards of accommodation and hospitality. You may know that hospitality in Kosova is not only a gesture, it is a way of life, coming out of our culture – as an old Albanian saying goes that “the home belongs to god and to the guest”.
Beside the profound privilege of serving as the Host, I understand that this role comes with significant responsibility and requires strong collaboration with many partners, both nationally and internationally.
But allow me to say that each one of us who has made commitments for this bid – is fully prepared to honour them promptly.
With our candidacy, we are presenting a new concept for the Games itself, while showcasing the effectiveness of the partnership approach in hosting the Games. Our dynamic and integrated approach with Albania, will establish a pioneering model that can be replicated in future events.
Together with the Kosova Olympic Committee, in collaboration with Albania, we will work with devotion and enthusiasm to welcome, in 2030, the sports community from the three continents of the Mediterranean Basin.
I promise you that the Republic of Kosova will be your most dedicated partner on this journey of organizing and delivering successful Mediterranean Games.
In the end, on behalf of my citizens and our athletes, I want to express our gratitude to the International Committee of Mediterranean Games and the Olympic Movement as a whole for their continuous efforts in building a more peaceful world, and a healthier and united society.
Thank you very much!
Honorable President Tizzano,
Esteemed members of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Firstly, I would like to convey my heartfelt condolences to the Government of Greece and the families who have lost loved ones due to the devastating flooding here. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
It is of my great pleasure to be here today among all of you, in the beautiful and ancient island of Crete, in Greece – in this island of Greek gods and great men, from Zeus to Kazantzakis – we all feel small – and must do big things.
I’m here today with three ministers of my government and the mayor of our vibrant capital Prishtina.
We are truly honoured to represent our country and citizen’s aspiration to host the Mediterranean Games 2030, a sporting event which carries an immense historical, cultural, and geographical significance.
The idea of hosting Mediterranean Games in my beloved country, is not merely a competition but a reflection of our society’s dedication to promoting peace, honouring the past and cultivating a journey of continuous growth and advancement toward the future.
There is no stronger image of the city of Prishtina and all of Kosova – than its talented and boundless creative youth, and their unyielding determination for success. What truly sets Kosova apart – is its population with over 40% of its inhabitants under the age of 25, and an impressive 2/3 of them being under the age of 35.
Kosova is a sports country. Sport is in our DNA. The remarkable sporting achievements and our athletes’ commitment to excellence has positioned the country on the world stage – as a force to be reckoned with.
On a global scale, in the list of countries with less than 2 million inhabitants, Kosova ranks first when comparing the number of medals won at the Olympic Games with the number of population per country.
This is a fact, with only two participations in the Olympic Games.
Sport is a top priority of our state’s agenda.
I firmly believe that combining education with sports and intertwining sports with health represents the winning formula for nurturing and sustaining the well-being of our societies.
Dear members, this is the reason why we are here today, presenting this bid to host the Mediterranean Games, Prishtina 2030.
Our vision for the Games in Kosova extends far beyond athletic competitions. We are united to create a transformative experience for athletes, spectators, and all guests alike.
We pledge to invest in state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring the highest standards of accommodation and hospitality. You may know that hospitality in Kosova is not only a gesture, it is a way of life, coming out of our culture – as an old Albanian saying goes that “the home belongs to god and to the guest”.
Beside the profound privilege of serving as the Host, I understand that this role comes with significant responsibility and requires strong collaboration with many partners, both nationally and internationally.
But allow me to say that each one of us who has made commitments for this bid – is fully prepared to honour them promptly.
With our candidacy, we are presenting a new concept for the Games itself, while showcasing the effectiveness of the partnership approach in hosting the Games. Our dynamic and integrated approach with Albania, will establish a pioneering model that can be replicated in future events.
Together with the Kosova Olympic Committee, in collaboration with Albania, we will work with devotion and enthusiasm to welcome, in 2030, the sports community from the three continents of the Mediterranean Basin.
I promise you that the Republic of Kosova will be your most dedicated partner on this journey of organizing and delivering successful Mediterranean Games.
In the end, on behalf of my citizens and our athletes, I want to express our gratitude to the International Committee of Mediterranean Games and the Olympic Movement as a whole for their continuous efforts in building a more peaceful world, and a healthier and united society.
Thank you very much!
Last modified: September 11, 2023