Kosovo Urged to Accelerate Infrastructure Plans for 2030 Games

One of the most important members of the International Mediterranean Games Committee, Stavri Bello, who is from Albania and who is also the chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Mediterranean Games 'Taranto 2026', has spoken about the importance of organizing these games in Kosovo in 2030, but also about the direction that our country must follow in order not to risk losing the right to organize them, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

In an interview he said that taking on this organization was a very big step for the Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOK), but also for the state of Kosovo itself.

"Undoubtedly, this has been one of the most beautiful movements of Kosovo, especially of the Kosovo Olympic Committee and the Government of Kosovo who decided to organize them in 2030, decided on the candidacy and won the right to organize the 2030 Mediterranean Games. The importance of this event for the state of Kosovo and not only, but also for Albania, is great, because it highlights not only sporting values, but a willingness to offer expectations, to offer hospitality to all athletes in Mediterranean countries. Of course, there is a lot of work to be done, the first and most important step is that the right to organize them has been won. Now it remains in the hands of two countries, Kosovo mainly but also Albania, for the organization of this major event to be successful," said Bello.

He recommended that the construction of infrastructure and new sports facilities for these games be done in full coordination with international sports federations, avoiding any violations of procedures.

"There are many opportunities for Kosovo to build sports infrastructure, it is not easy, but the best opportunity is to build a modern infrastructure. Five years is enough time if sufficient budget is provided so that this infrastructure is not built quickly and in a hurry, and we violate procedures, but it is built under normal conditions and with the approval of international federations, which have their own conditions, so that we do not think only about the 2030 games, but that this infrastructure is sustainable for activities after 2030, which international federations can organize in Kosovo," said Bello.

Bello has called for very close cooperation between the Government of Kosovo and the KOK, as only this path guarantees success.

"I can say how the Mediterranean Committee proceeds that the signatory of the contract of the host city of the future games is the city municipality together with the Olympic Committee. Of course, cooperation with the government is important, because the government will finance. So, the best path I would suggest is cooperation, it may seem a little difficult, but never impossible, because it is done for the common good of the entire Albanian space wherever it is and it will be a success first and foremost of the state of Kosovo," said Bello.

For the organization of these games, the Government of Kosovo has allocated a budget of 250 million euros, a figure which, according to Bello, may not be enough.

"The organizers have prepared a master plan and based on this master plan, they have identified their needs for sports infrastructure, mainly in those sports disciplines that do not currently have infrastructure approved by world federations, and while this budget has been approved, this is very positive, because it provides the opportunity to start work. Of course, along the way there will also be budget adjustments that imply budget additions, because organizing the games does not only have sports infrastructure, but also requires another functional budget for the organization and functioning of the Organizing Committee," said Bello.

He also indicates whether Kosovo risks losing the right to organize this major sporting event if it fails to be ready with sports infrastructure.

"I don't believe it, but of course this is a matter for the courts and they will resolve it. I wish the best for the progress of the works and the solution within the agreement is always positive, not only for one party, but for all of us together. There is a case when the state itself, due to the financial crisis, has given up on organizing the games and over the years it has been given to another state which has successfully carried it out. But, I never believe that this will happen to Kosovo," said Bello.

More intensive work in the preparations for the organization of the Mediterranean Games has also been requested by Massimo Ferrarese, president of the Organizing Committee of the Mediterranean Games 'Taranto 2026.'

Ferrarese said that the construction works for the sports facilities should begin as soon as possible and the cooperation between politics and sports houses should be as close as possible, as otherwise there is a risk of delays that will have consequences for the smooth running of this sports event.