Kosovar handball has been left without its outstanding personality. The general secretary of the Kosovo Handball Federation, Izet Gjinovci, passed away on Monday.

Gjinovci passed away at the age of 63, announced the Handball Federation of Kosovo.

The late Gjinovci dedicated his whole life to the sport of handball. He performed his duties as general secretary with exemplary dedication and passion until his last breath.

His contribution to the development of Kosovar handball is colossal.

After a successful career as a handball player in Pristina, the late Gjinovci took over the management of the club prishtinas. He has sacrificed a lot to lead the club successfully, while in one period he had melted all his wealth for the smooth running of the club.

He has contributed to the independence of Kosovar sport, while in the nineties, when sport had the mission of countering the invaders, he stood out for his unstoppable commitment. It was part of important handball organizations and an integral part of it.

From 2002 until the last day of his life, he successfully performed the work of the general secretary of the Kosovo Handball Federation. He led the international lobbying process, together with the honorary president of the FHK, Mejhid Devaja. The success was great.

Since 2004, a decade before other team sports, FHK was admitted with limited rights to the European Handball Federation. Kosovar clubs won the right to appear in European competitions and Izet Gjinovci's contribution to this process was great.

Then, together with the president of FHK, Eugen Saraçini, they led the process of full admission to EHF and IHF. This process was also completed with complete success. The FHK was accepted first by the collective sports federations.

The relations of the late Gjinovci with the handball community in the country were exemplary. He has been appreciated and valued in every environment where he has appeared. He also had excellent relations with the leaders of the IHF, EHF and other national federations. He is distinguished for his charisma, which has enabled him to reach the highest levels of international handball. From April 23, 2021, Gjinovci was a member of the EHF Court of Appeal.

He was elected to this important body with the votes of the members of the EHF Congress. He was one of the most voted and this testifies to the respect he has enjoyed at the international levels of handball.

The late Gjinovci has contributed to the rapid development of our national teams, the two historic World Cup qualifications and the achievement of higher and higher levels with the A National Teams.

The cooperation with other federations of the country and with state institutions was excellent. He has had doors open in every country thanks to the great work he has done.

With the death of Gjinovci, Kosovar handball and the FHK have been left without a very important pillar.

FHK expresses its most sincere condolences to the dear Gjinovci family.