00:03in october 2025 fifa president gianni infantino was awarded one of kosovo's highest honors
00:11the presidential medal in recognition of his contribution to the development of football
00:17globally and his strong support for kosovo's football community
00:24the medal was awarded in the kosovan capital pristina by president of yosa osmani
00:32kosovo was part of the former yugoslavia so when the balkan region fractured after the fall of the
00:38berlin wall it became beset by turmoil and ultimately war it declared independence in 2008 and by 2013 had
00:50gained widespread international recognition although not without struggle and ongoing challenges
00:57membership of international organizations like fifa therefore carries considerable symbolic weight
01:04so when i became president of fifa on the 26th of february 2016 for me it was very clear that
01:13in the
01:13first occasion kosovo should become member of fifa and on the 13 of may 2016 three months after my
01:23elections before president i was proud to be the fifa president to welcome kosovo in the fifa family
01:32kosovo's first official international game took place in march 2014 and their maiden competitive
01:39fixture occurred in september 2016 during qualification for the 2018 world cup president infantino you
01:48have been a steadfast friend of kosovo a friend who has understood our challenges and celebrated our
01:55progress you have celebrated with us stood alongside us here in kosovo and around the world you have shown
02:06through your actions that leadership in sports can also mean leadership in values your support has
02:14helped transform kosovo's football into a source of national pride globally and for that the people of
02:23kosovo will always remain grateful fifa support for kosovo includes the fifa forward program to fund the
02:32introduction of the video assistant referee system in the football super league of kosovo install
02:38artificial pitches for clubs and upgrades to the high value stadium part of the ffk's national technical
02:45center in addition the fifa football for schools initiative launched in kosovo in september 2024
02:55and the ffk has joined the fifa talent development scheme as part of a wider drive to increase female
03:03participation in the game dear presidents dear friends believe in these boys here believe in your
03:16children believe in your future believe in football invest in football because the magic of football
03:24is unique it unites a country it creates a country and it brings it all over the world thank you
03:32very
03:32much for the honor you've given me
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