The European Sports Platform is being organized in Pristina by the Kosovo Olympic Committee with the theme, “Sports Values: Building Bridges in a United Europe”
The goal of this platform is to shape the future of grassroots sports in Europe, with the idea of preparing organizations and clubs in analyzing how our society can advance thanks to values such as: Integrity, equality and good governance in sports.
The President of the European Sports Non-Governmental Organization (ENGSO) Stefan Bergh said that sports clubs engage and empower people, and that the goal of this platform is to raise awareness in society about the importance of sports.Bergh: The purpose of the platform is to raise society's awareness of the importance of sport
“The European platform is our flagship event, it is our 7th edition, we organize event we connect to member organization, senior researchers, perhaps other sport organizations, composing a program that is relevant for you as representatives of sports in Europe. With the major aim to raise awareness, deep the knowledge and perhaps giving you a chance to bring home these experiences, perhaps new networks, but also knowledge to develop your work, in your country. And for us, I'm sure that we try to identify issues that is on the strategic agenda for you as sport organizations. Having said that, I think it's important to stress the fact that we need to on our strategic level, discuss these issues, but never forget that the real sport is being done in that individual sport Club. In the sport club with all these leaders and and athletes are meeting. Sport clubs, engage and empower people, as sport participants, athletes, coaches, volunteers leaders, by contributing to their overall health and well-being, teaching the new skills, forging friendships and enhancing their quality of life”, said Bergh. While the President of the Kosovo Olympic Committee, Ismet Krasniqi, stated that sport continues to remain a very important bridge for connecting people across borders, cultures and generations, offering a unique language that knows no differences.Krasniqi: Sport is a bridge between people across different borders
“As we gather here at the time when the world faces numerous challenges, Sport continues to be a representative of hope, unity and transformation. This platform offers us a chance, not only to shape a future of European Grassroot sport, but to discuss how the fundamental values of integrity, equality and good governance can serve as tools for the better Society. Sport, as we know, It's not just about competition or victory, it is about building bridges. It connects people across borders, cultures and generations, offering a unique language that does not know differences. Integrity, one of the core values, serves as a moral compass, guiding athletes organizations and communities. It reminds us that the journey is as important as destination, and that fairness and honesty must remain in the heart of everything we do”, said Krasniqi.
On the other hand, the Director of the Sports Department at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ibër Alaj, said that he is aligning Kosovo's sports policy with European standards. Alaj: MCYS is aligning Kosovo's sports policy with European standards“The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in collaboration with organizations like ENGSO, have taken sport to a higher level by using it for social inclusion, health promotion and community building. The leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports is aligning Kosovo’s sports policy with European standards, and has made partnerships that cross borders. These collaborations ensure that our young people, especially children, have access to safe and inclusive opportunities to develop and build through sport. Kosovo along with 34 other European countries under the umbrella of ENGSO, has proven that sport has a unique ability to overcome division, promote mutual understanding and fight for equal opportunities for all Europeans, values that are more important than ever”, said Alaj.
Present at this event are about 70 representatives from different countries, and just as many local officials. In addition to workshops, the platform is also being developed in the form of panels, with panelists who are sports leaders in Kosovo, local sports personalities, as well as international sports leaders.
