Kosovo has a historic opportunity through the organization of the Mediterranean Games, says Astrit Hasani, President of the European Weightlifting Federation. He emphasizes that winning this bid was not a coincidence, but the result of extensive work, significant lobbying, and serious efforts behind the decision.
According to him, the Mediterranean Games are not just a sporting event, but a major project that elevates Kosovo’s image and proves that the country has the capacity to organize major international events.
Hasani stresses that the benefits are numerous — from sports infrastructure to opportunities for young people, who through these investments will have better spaces to develop the sports they choose. He states that this is the moment to demonstrate the seriousness of the state and the municipality, as well as the will of the citizens, warning that the success of the Mediterranean Games is a shared responsibility.
“It is an extraordinary success. Anyone who thinks there was no interest or that countries were not interested and Kosovo somehow received it, is seriously mistaken — and it is wrong to even think that way. A lot of lobbying must be done, there are many behind-the-scenes efforts involved to achieve such an extraordinary success as winning the bid for the Mediterranean Games. This not only helps the sports infrastructure in Kosovo, helps young people have more suitable environments to practice the sport they prefer, but also raises the image of the state of Kosovo because it shows that we have the capacity to organize championships, that we are a serious state, that the Municipality of Prishtina is very serious, and that we know, we want, and we must absolutely succeed. Significant support is also needed from the state, but also from all people, from volunteers, to show the world that we can organize the Mediterranean Games — and that we can do it very successfully,” Hasani emphasized.
He clearly calls for politics to be set aside and for all institutions to focus on fulfilling all the requirements that this major project brings. Hasani considers this a national interest and stresses that coordination with the Olympic Committee and international partners must be continuous. According to him, organizing the Mediterranean Games is not something that can be taken lightly and requires uninterrupted work.
“I believe that unless there is exceptional focus from the state of Kosovo, all political differences must be set aside because this is a national interest. There must be continuous consultation with the president of the Olympic Committee and with other international sports actors, and they must be available at all times for the entire checklist that must be completed — because organizing the Mediterranean Games is not a joke. This must be taken very seriously — all differences must be put aside, everyone must come together and work day and night to ensure that we will successfully organize the Mediterranean Games,” Hasani added.
Hasani underlines that any mistake or failure would have serious consequences for Kosovo’s image. He warns that if this project is not properly managed, it would harm not only the state but also the athletes and sports authorities who represent the country on the international stage. He adds that a lack of success would raise questions about Kosovo’s ability to lead such projects in the future.
“Keep in mind — let everyone know — that if these will not be successful games, everyone will be harmed, not only the image of the state of Kosovo but also the athletes, the coaches, and other European officials, because if it fails, others will say: ‘Why should Astrit from Kosovo be voted for tomorrow when they are not capable of handling an event they have taken responsibility for?’ It means the matter is very serious,” Hasani stated.
The statements of Astrit Hasani serve as a direct call for full mobilization, emphasizing that the Mediterranean Games are Kosovo’s greatest test of seriousness in the eyes of the world.
