In KAPS is held Mini Olympics for persons with disabilities

17.06.2013Vushtri, 16 June 2013 – In the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety (KAPS), for two consecutive days traditional is held mini Olympics for youth with disabilities “Kosovo 2013”, where participated more than 450 young people. At the opening of the miniolympics took part Kosovo President Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, General Director of the Academy, Mr. Ismail Smakiqi, head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jean-Claude Schlumberger, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajdin Abazi, UK Ambassador Mr. Ian Cliff and other officials from  institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.
President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga in her speech said that the organization of Mini-Olympics itself shows the importance of inclusion and providing equal opportunities for every member of our society.
On this occasion, President Jahjaga thanked the OSCE as well as Kosovo Academy for Public Safety as she said that her contribution is managing more and more to build a safe and comprehensive society.
“Participants in this mini olympics are showing that with strong will, can break all barriers and overcome any difficulties”; Jahjaga said.
 She said that Kosovo institutions are working to build a comprehensive, non-exclusive, which offers equal opportunities and responds to the needs of all its citizens without distinction.
Whereas the General Director of the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety, Mr. Ismail Smakiqi estimated that the mini-Olympics is one of the most important activities that take place at the Academy.
He said that the Academy is always ready to support and assist each citizen of Kosovo. “The Academy will continue with commitment to fulfill its mission, offering all kinds of training, and soon higher education, research and development for Public Safety Agencies. Academy during the days of the Mini-Olympics proved itself by voluntarily participation in all activities of the Mini-Olympics”, said Smakiqi OSCE Ambassador in Kosovo, Jean-Claude Schlumberger has expressed his satisfaction that the mini Olympics is being held in Kosovo Academy for Public Safety.
 He said that any society is responsible to fight prejudice, discrimination and in some cases the isolation of persons with disabilities.
“Today’s race is for people with and without disabilities, and I am sure that many persons, who are not with disabilities, will eventually lose the race. We must be open-minded, not to see people for what they cannot do, but for what they can do and to make sure that the progressive anti-discrimination legislation of Kosovo is fully implemented”, said Jean-Claude Schlumberger.
 President of Kosovo Para-Olympic Committee, Mrs. Njomza Emini said that in order to contribute to the development and internationalization of sport for persons with disabilities in the Republic of Kosovo, Para-Olympic Committee of Kosovo is founded.
“This committee along with other institutions organizes for the twelfth time the mini-Olympics, which has already become traditional and is held every year in June; said Mrs. Emini.
Mini-Olympics “Kosovo 2013” is organized by Kosovo Para –Olympic committee and OPFAKOS “parent and child”. Mini Olympics which is organized by OPFAKOS contains various sports activities like wheelchair race, basketball, handball, shooting, darts etc.