In the Academy was held the "Mini Olympics 2019" for people with disabilities

Vushtrri, 21 June 2019 - At the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety (KAPS), today was held "Mini Olympics 2019", for people with disabilities organized by Para Olympic Committee of Kosovo and the Organization of Parents and Children with Disabilities supported by the OSCE and Academy.

The opening ceremony of mini Olympics was attended by the prime minister Ramush Haradinaj, President of the Kosova Assembly Kadri Veseli, Local Government Minister Adriana Hodzic, Director General of the Academy Ismail Smakiqi, Director of the OSCE Department of Public Safety Ake Roghe, Head of Paralympic Committee Njomza Emini, Director of Sports Department of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Iber Alaj, Mayor of Vushtrri Municipality Xhafer Tahiri, HANDIKOS Leader Afrim Maliqi, Ambassadors of European States in Kosovo as well as representatives of OPFAKKOS.


The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, at the opening ceremony of this mini-Olympics, expressed his readiness to support people with disabilities in every area. "We are here to show support for you. We know that there are challenges, but jointly you will have strong support from us, "said Veseli.


President Veseli said that these categories will be encouraged and will also have space in public institutions. "Our country is very small, but the possibilities are great to live better, to have more space," said Veseli.

On this occasion, President Veseli wished success to the contestants who will take part in the Olympic Games. "I expect from you to participate in the Para-Olympics races and be champion," said Veseli.

While Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said that they have done some good work for people with disabilities, and he said he would not stop providing support in all areas for these categories.

"I participated several times in the activities organized by you and that has always been a motivation for me to see your energy and enthusiasm," said Haradinaj.

  Prime Minister Haradinaj congratulated the participants for their success in competitions and invited them to proof the best, the competitive spirit, the sporting spirit, wishing them victory.

Prime Minister Haradinaj said the government has done some good work in terms of persons with disabilities, especially the law to care for paraplegics of Kosovo, but I promise it will not stop in this regard, to support these categories. "I wish you success and to the best victory," said Prime Minister Haradinaj.

General Director of Kosovo Academy for Public Safety Ismail Smakiqi, welcoming the participants to the Academy, emphasized that mini-Olympics for people with disabilities is a very important event that enables the participants to develop some sports activities.


"The staff of the Academy always served voluntarily in mini Olympics those participants to realize their sporting activity. On this occasion he thanked the numerous volunteers engaged by local and international institutions, "said Director Smakiqi.


Considering the mini-Olympics as one of the most important activities, Director Smakiqi also spoke about the mission, training and processes that the Academy is going through. "The Academy will continue with dedication to fulfil its mission, offering all kinds of training and higher education for employees in public safety agents," said Smakiqi, speaking also about the international values and cooperation of the Academy.

On the occasion of the mini Olympics director Smakiqi wish for participants successful competitions.

Director of OSCE Department of Public Order and Security, Ake Roghe, said that mini Olympic are a very important event where many people can participate to show their skills in different games. Roghe said that this community is special and through this event should be guaranteed proper support. "This is a wonderful event, inspiring and a good example," said Roghe.


Minister of Local Government, Adriana Hodzic, said that everyone should be committed to accessing persons with disabilities like all other citizens of Kosovo.

"Organized competitions for persons with disabilities, in such large number, is the event that proof that persons with disabilities are fully equal with all the citizens of Kosovo. Their needs are the same as the needs of all others and therefore all institutions should be committed to engage these people as well as all other citizens, "said Minister Hodzic.


Meanwhile, the president of the Paralympic Committee, Njomza Emini, said that 2019 will be special for this committee and stressed that they are ready to join international organizations.

"The year 2019 will be special for the fact that this year finds Paralympic Committee accepted with full rights in all international organizations. We have applied to the Paralympic Committee, we are in the process and I wish this year to be internationally accepted, "said Emini.

Also in mini Olympics are held, handball, basketball, darts, football, chess, table tennis, trolley, Sagittarius, etc. This activity is already traditional and this is the fifteenth time held at the Academy