At the Academy were held the pre-sports games Kosovo 2022

 Vushtrri, July 17, 2022 –At the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety were held pre-sports games for person with disability Kosovo 2022, where for two consecutive days the participants competed in various games such as handball, basketball, darts, football, chess, ping pong, wheelchair competition, archery, etc. 

But from now on, these contestants will not only participate in sports competitions within Kosovo, but also abroad, since Kosovo is already a full member of the International Paralympic Committee. 

For the first time, Kosovo will be part of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and part of every other European and world activity that is organized under the patronage of this committee.  

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the opening ceremony of these games. At the beginning of his speech, Prime Minister Kurti congratulated everyone on Kosovo's admission to the International Paralympic Committee.   

"There was no better place for this incredible news, but there was also no better news for this event which made us all proud. So your annual activity that shows your vivacity, energy and talent, confirms successes that we all appreciate", said Prime Minister Kurti.  

Prime Minister Kurti said that Kosovo's athletes with disabilities now have the opportunity to dream of the Paralympic medal, since Kosovo became a full member of the International Paralympic Committee. He said that athletes with disabilities are living confirmation that the impossible becomes possible. 

"In 2024, as President Njomza Emini said, we will mark the first participation of Kosovo in the Paralympic Games. I congratulate the Kosovo Paralympic Committee for their commitment towards the realization of this major and common goal", said Prime Minister Kurti.  

Prime Minister Kurti said that this success, in addition to enabling the representation of Kosovo in the international arena, the most important thing is that it has opened many doors for countless opportunities for the development of sports for people with disabilities within our country. 

Inviting the contestants to celebrate their achievements, Prime Minister Kurti reminded that on December 3 of last year, on the International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the year 2022 was declared - the year of persons with disabilities.  "Although the work to ensure the guarantee and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities is our permanent commitment, we declared 2022 the year of persons with disabilities, in order to work together more and better, to ensure all inclusion and opportunities for everyone", expressed Kurti, saying that sport is the best platform through which diversity is celebrated and differences are embraced.  

Meanwhile, Njomza Emini, President of the Paralympic Committee of Kosovo, opening the ceremony with the news that Kosovo is now a full member of the International Paralympic Committee, greeted all the participants, wishing them successful competitions. Emini said that the Paralympic Committee of Kosovo will work continuously in support of people with disabilities.  

EULEX ambassador in Kosovo Lars-Gunnar Wigemark also wishes the contestants success.

Those present were also greeted by the Ambassador of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on mission in Kosovo, Michael Davenport. "Great day for Paralympic sport in Kosovo, the OSCE is delighted to support the Para Games and celebrate the amazing achievements of athletes. Congratulations to the Paralympic Committee for the inspiring and comprehensive events at the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety ", said Ambassador Davenport.  

Also present at this opening were the ambassador of France in Kosovo Marie Christine-Bute, the ambassador of Croatia in Kosovo Danijela Barishi, the minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Hajrulla Ceku, who congratulated the athletes for Kosovo's membership in the International Paralympic Committee and at the same time the participants were wished success in their competitions.   

Even the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Bardhyl Dobra wishes success to the competitors in the pre-sports games Kosovo 2022.  

"You are the ones who, with your skills and dedication, have managed to raise the level of state representation in Paralympic sports, enabling us at the state level to take the deserved place at the international level", said Dobra.  

At the opening of the Kosova 2022 Paralympics games, the Acting General Director of the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety Kastriot Jashari and representatives of persons with disabilities and sports fans were also present.

Otherwise, these pre-sports games Kosovo 2022, which were held two days in a row, were organized by the Kosovo Paralympic Committee supported by the Government of Kosovo, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety, EULEX, KFOR, the Embassy of France in Kosovo, etc.