00:04In October 2025, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was awarded one of Kosovo's highest honors,
00:12the Presidential Medal, in recognition of his contribution to the development of football
00:18globally and his strong support for Kosovo's football community.
00:25The medal was awarded in the Kosovan capital Pristina by President Vyosa Osmani.
00:33Kosovo was part of the former Yugoslavia, so when the Balkan region fractured after the fall of the Berlin Wall,
00:40it became beset by turmoil and ultimately war.
00:46It declared independence in 2008, and by 2013 had gained widespread international recognition,
00:54although not without struggle and ongoing challenges.
00:58Membership of international organizations like FIFA, therefore, carries considerable symbolic weight.
01:04So when I became president of FIFA on the 26th of February 2016,
01:11for me it was very clear that in the first occasion Kosovo should become member of FIFA.
01:18And on the 13th of May 2016, three months after my election as FIFA president,
01:26I was proud to be the FIFA president to welcome Kosovo in the FIFA family.
01:34Kosovo's first official international game took place in March 2014,
01:39and their maiden competitive fixture occurred in September 2016,
01:43during qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
01:47President Infantino, you have been a steadfast friend of Kosovo,
01:53a friend who has understood our challenges and celebrated our progress.
01:57You have celebrated with us, stood alongside us, here in Kosovo and around the world.
02:06You have shown through your action that leadership in sports can also mean leadership in values.
02:14Your support has helped transform Kosovo's football into a source of national pride globally.
02:21And for that, the people of Kosovo will always remain grateful.
02:28FIFA's support for Kosovo includes the FIFA Forward program
02:32to fund the introduction of the video assistant referee system in the Football Super League of Kosovo,
02:39install artificial pitches for clubs,
02:41and upgrades to the Haivalia Stadium, part of the FFK's National Technical Center.
02:50In addition, the FIFA Football for Schools initiative launched in Kosovo in September 2024,
02:57and the FFK has joined the FIFA Talent Development Scheme
03:01as part of a wider drive to increase female participation in the game.
03:07Mr. President, dear friends, believe in these boys here, believe in your children,
03:18believe in your future, believe in football, invest in football,
03:23because the magic of football is unique.
03:27It unites a country, it creates a country, and it brings it all over the world.
03:33Thank you very much for the honour you have given me.
03:35All the best to all of you.
03:36Thank you for being here.
Comments