Kosovo Golf Federation announced that it will not participate in the 2026 European Senior Championship, which has begun in Paphos, Cyprus, due to Kosovo not being allowed to display its state symbols on an equal basis with the other participating countries.
In an official statement, the federation said that golfer Azer Bislimaj had qualified for the prestigious championship for the second consecutive year and was set to represent Kosovo among 29 participating nations. According to the federation, the official registration process was completed on April 23, while all financial obligations related to travel and accommodation had been settled on time.
The federation noted that Bislimaj had undergone intensive preparations for the tournament, including two training camps in Spain and five weeks of training in Germany under the guidance of German coach Madeleine Krüger.According to the statement, the European Golf Association (EGA) had made efforts to find a solution and had included Kosovo in all official championship systems, listing the Kosovar player with the name and flag of the Republic of Kosovo.
However, on May 27, the Kosovo Golf Federation was informed that the Cypriot authorities, supported by the country’s Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, would not allow Kosovo’s flag to be displayed in the same manner as the flags of the other participating states. The federation said this information was communicated only after all sporting, organizational and financial preparations had been completed, stressing that Kosovo was not seeking special treatment, but merely equal treatment with the other participating countries.“We cannot accept participation in international competitions under unequal conditions and without the right to represent our country with its identity and official symbols,” the statement said.
The Kosovo Golf Federation added that, despite its disappointment with the situation, it remains committed to the development of golf in Kosovo and to cooperation with European and global golf organizations, expressing hope that such cases will not be repeated in the future.
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