The Karate Federation of Kosovo is preparing for its main domestic event of the year, the Senior National Championship, which will be held on March 7. However, preparations are taking place under the shadow of financial uncertainty.

Despite being categorized as one of the most successful federations in the country, there are concerns that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport may reduce financial support — a move that would jeopardize the federation’s plans and activities for 2025.

The March 7 championship is considered a key event because, as the federation’s secretary Nazmi Gashi told KosovaPress, it will serve to select the national team that will represent Kosovo at the European Karate Championship in Frankfurt, Germany.

“The Senior Championship is crucial; it is the main championship organized by the Karate Federation, and I believe all senior athletes from our clubs will participate. It will provide a good overview for the selectors so that from these seniors, from the quality we have, they can make the selection for the European Championship, which will be held in May in Frankfurt, Germany — the European Championship for seniors. For them, it is of particular importance because it will show the athletes’ form ahead of the European Championship,” Gashi initially stated.

Gashi announced that elite karate athletes from across the country will take part in the championship.

“There are no exceptions here. Everyone will participate. Islami, Betimi as last year’s European medalist — all will take part, and it will truly be a major sporting event for karate. We expect that realistically this year will be just as successful as the previous one. Perhaps we cannot surpass it, since we do not have a senior world championship this year; it is held every two years. However, we hope that this year in Frankfurt, Germany, we will qualify with one of the teams, whether the women’s or the men’s,” Gashi further emphasized.

Recently, the Karate Federation of Kosovo was highly evaluated by the Ministry of Sports, ranking in Category A and as the second most successful federation in the country, after the Judo Federation of Kosovo. This assessment was expected to bring an increase in the budget, but the situation appears to have taken an unexpected turn.

Gashi says there is unconfirmed information that the financial value per point earned by federations during categorization may be reduced. Currently, one point is valued at 3,000 euros, but there is concern that this amount could decrease. Such a step would translate into a direct reduction of the annual budget, despite excellent results.

“We are very satisfied and very happy to be in Category A. I believe financial support will increase, because this year we are categorized much better, we have more points, and I hope that the points, as they were last year, will give us hope for a budget increase in this direction. There has been some information circulating that there will be a reduction in the value or level of payment per point. I hope this does not happen, because we are on the eve of the Mediterranean Games; we are consolidating and preparing our teams. We are already late in this process, and if the point value is reduced, that means a reduction in funds. If our funds are reduced, we will be forced to cut activities, reduce teams, reduce support, and this will directly affect the team’s development for the Mediterranean Games that will be held here,” Gashi expressed with concern.

The federation has appealed to the new minister not only to avoid reducing the value per point, but to increase it, in order to support preparations for major international events such as the Mediterranean Games.

“According to unconfirmed information, the point value of 3,000 euros is expected to be reduced. I hope that is not the case, especially not for sports in Category A. Because sports in Category A are there precisely because they have carried out many activities, done a lot of work, and achieved the revenues planned by the ministry. In fact, I would call on the new minister to increase the point value. Not to keep it at 3,000 euros, but to raise it, because it would greatly help us prepare our teams better and more extensively for dignified international representation,” Gashi stated.

Gashi says a budget cut would force the federation to reduce activities, limit the number of athletes in international competitions, and negatively affect the development of the sport. This situation leaves karate caught between plans for new successes and uncertainty over financial support that could undermine all the work done.