The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Olympic Committee of Kosovo (KOK) have formalized their cooperation for 2026 by signing a memorandum worth a record 1.15 million euros. This historic funding aims to strengthen sports activities in the country, with a particular focus on preparations for major international events in which Kosovo will participate.

Minister of Youth and Sports Blerim Gashani described the agreement as a reinforcement of ongoing support for sport. According to him, the Olympic Committee is a key and strategic partner not only in advancing sports but also in efforts to build a healthier and more active society.

“This is continuous support, but we are strengthening and empowering it. The Olympic Committee of Kosovo is a key and strategic partner of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, both in advancing sport and in efforts for a healthier and more active society. This year’s memorandum also has additional importance because Kosovo will be represented at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto 2026 at the end of August. Also, after the approval of the Law on the Mediterranean Games, Kosovo is preparing for the games it will host in 2030. All this cooperation is essential with the Olympic Committee of Kosovo, and therefore the signing of this memorandum, which covers only this year but will be repeated and strengthened,” Gashani emphasized.

On the other hand, the president of the Olympic Committee of Kosovo, Ismet Krasniqi, stressed that the memorandum is more than a financial document.

“For me, this memorandum is not just a financial document, but a very strong state support and an institutional guarantee for the Olympic Committee of Kosovo, for the Olympic movement, and for all our athletes. Through this memorandum and the funding provided to the Olympic Committee of Kosovo, we will continue our work and activities that move us forward. As the minister mentioned, this year we also have the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, where Kosovo will be represented by a large number of athletes, because in four years we will be the hosts of these games,” said Krasniqi.

The Secretary General of KOK, Besim Aliti, revealed that the value of the memorandum is the highest ever provided by the ministry to the committee, calling it a sign of strong institutional partnership.

“This is a record memorandum for the Olympic Committee, the highest value ever funded by the Ministry of Sports. The value is 1,150,000 euros. We are very grateful. This shows institutional seriousness and a strong partnership between the two institutions, the Ministry and the Olympic Committee. It also shows that this is a very important year for Kosovo sport, not only for the Olympic Committee, as we have the Mediterranean Games in Taranto 2026, where this trio will be represented, carrying the flag from Italy to Kosovo as the future host of the 2030 Mediterranean Games,” Aliti said.

One of the most important initiatives funded through this memorandum will be the establishment of the “Mediterranean Games Academy.”

This strengthened partnership between the Ministry and KOK is seen as a decisive step toward raising the level of Kosovo sport internationally and ensuring the successful organization of the Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games.