Podujevë, 26 January, 2024
At the “Xheladin Rekaliu” school in Podujevë, with the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, the state program “Sports in School” was launched today, which aims at the well-being and education of young people through various sports in pre-university education.
The “Sports at School” program will start from today with the implementation of regular sports courses for students, as well as equipping schools with the necessary tools for the sport of chess and basketball, with full access and free of charge for all students within the environment school and in certain cases also in sports areas outside the school.
Prime Minister Kurti, in front of the audience, showed that in line with the Government’s vision, the program was drawn up in a time frame of six years, and included five components: the development of regular sports and physical activity at school; organization of sports competitions in schools; raising the capacities of teachers for the organization of sports activities; supplying schools with sports equipment; and improving school sports infrastructure.
“In our joint effort, we want everyone regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, all ages, from the youngest first graders to those in high school, regardless of whether they live in the countryside or in the city, to have the opportunity to participate and enjoy more physical activity and sports matches”, he said, emphasizing that the well-being of young people is the key word of this program.
The pilot phase of “Sports in School” started in the last half year of last year, in 49 schools of 23 municipalities of Kosovo, through the training of teachers for the implementation of the program in the sport of basketball and chess. Today, however, the Prime Minister invited the students for active participation because, as he said, through playing on the field we cultivate the values that carry us throughout our lives: discipline at work, respect for rules and fair play, cooperation and appreciation for society, and skills to face challenges successfully.
The Mayor of Podujeva Municipality, Shpejtim Bulliqi, expressed his happiness that today they have gathered in this municipality, at the “Xheladin Rekaliu” School to celebrate the launch of the national program “Sports at School”, an event as he said is very important for students and the schools.
“To give the importance that belongs to this program, today we also have the prime minister and the relevant government ministers here. The physical aspect and vitality of students is very important for their physical and mental health. Sports activities not only help them maintain a healthy body, they also help students develop their social skills”, said the president while congratulating the Government of the country for the realization of this national project.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in cooperation with the Federation of School Sports of Kosovo and the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, are the designers and implementers of the state program “Sports in Schools”. Meanwhile, today at the launch ceremony, in addition to Prime Minister Kurti, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajrulla Çeku, the Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Arbërie Nagavci, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Daulina Osmani, the President of the Municipality of Podujeva, Shpejtim Bulliqi, as well as the Chairman of the Federation of School Sports of Kosovo, Ardian Telaku.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Mr. Hajrulla Çeku, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports,
Dear Ms. Arbërie Nagavci, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
Dear Mr. Shpejtim Bulliqi, mayor of the Municipality of Podujeva,
Dear, Mrs. Daulina Osmani, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports,
Dear Mr. Adrian Telaku, president of the Federation of School Sports of Kosovo,
Dear, Mrs. Arjeta Bashota, director of the Lower Secondary Primary School “Xheladin Rekaliu”,
Dear attendees,
Dear students,
Ladies and gentleman,
Good morning everyone on this last Friday of January of the new year 2024, and the first half of the second half of this school year.
We have gathered here together to mark the beginning of the “Sports at School” program, an initiative that aims to empower our students and young people through the connection of education with sports and sports with health.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Sports Federations have designed the “Sports at School” Program, which aims to build an active and healthy society through regular participation in physical and sports activities. The well-being of young people is the main focus of this program.
Dear students, only when you are healthy will you have the opportunity to fully develop your potential in studies, sports, science and art, and in any other field. Sport is a means to strengthen both your body and your mind. Therefore, it is very important that each of you make sports part of your daily routine that you live when you study and when you work.
Beyond health, active participation in sports made us better people and more responsible citizens. This is because, through the game on the field, we cultivate the values that will be passed on to us for the rest of our lives: discipline at work, respect for the rules and also the fair game or “fair play” as it is called. But at the same time, sports activity also enables cooperation and appreciation for friends, the ability to face challenges successfully and much, much more.
In our joint effort, we want everyone regardless of ethnicity or socio-economic status, all ages, from the youngest first graders to those in high school, regardless of whether they live in the countryside or in the city, we want everyone to have the opportunity to participate and enjoy more physical activity and sports matches.
In line with the Government’s vision, the program was designed in a six-year time frame, and included five components:
1. Development of regular sports and physical activity at school;
2. Organization of sports competitions in schools;
3. Raising the capacities of teachers for the organization of sports activities;
4. Supplying schools with sports equipment; AND
5. Improving school sports infrastructure.
In the half year of last year, the program started the pilot phase in 49 schools of 23 municipalities of Kosovo, through the training of teachers for the implementation of the program in the sport of basketball and chess.
From today we are starting the implementation of regular sports courses for students, as well as equipping schools with the necessary equipment to play chess and basketball.
The “Sports at School” program will be implemented within the school environment and in certain cases also in sports areas outside the school. All activities will be accessible and free of charge for all students, all the time, without distinction.
In addition to the sports courses, more than 10 thousand students will be part of many other activities that are foreseen in the program and that serve this interaction between education, health and sports.
Dear students,
Most of us like to play basketball. Someone likes to watch the football game. There are also those who do not want to play sports, but they want to support their favorite team. Whichever of these you like best, you will be able to do it within the “Sports at School” program.
I encourage you to participate in the activities of the program with will and passion, where in addition to having the opportunity to show your talent and skills in sports, you will also create unforgettable memories with and for each other.
Finally, I want to thank all those who have engaged in this program, the relevant ministries, sports federations and clubs, municipalities with their departments, and most importantly the school institutions, which remain the key pillar of the implementation of this program.
I wish you all good health and success.
Thank you.
Last modified: January 26, 2024