19 January 2023 – FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and FIFA Director for European Member Associations, Elkhan Mammadov, received President Agim Ademi and the Minister of Sports, Hajrulla Çeku with associates today at the House of Football in Zurich.
In a very warm and friendly atmosphere, the head of FIFA thanked once again President Ademi and the institutions of Kosovo for the warm reception at the beginning of last autumn. He expressed his gratitude for the progress that Kosovo’s football has made after joining UEFA and FIFA and expressed his conviction that the successful journey will continue in the future.
Just as in yesterday’s meeting with the President of UEFA, Aleksandar Ceferin, also in the meeting with the head of world football, the 5-year investment plan of the Kosovo Government in the football infrastructure in Kosovo was revealed. This investment plan, which is made in cooperation with MCYS, FFK and the Municipalities, foresees the completion of the current stadiums renovation projects as well as construction of new stadiums with UEFA and FIFA standards.
During the meeting, the possibilities of financial support from FIFA as well as the period for completing the works in the stadiums, which are a priority from the ministry’s plan, were discussed.
President Infantino expressed his happiness with the unveiling of this plan and praised the seriousness of this project as he emphasized that he feels happy that the Government and the Municipalities are close to FFK, as according to him, this helps such major projects to be completed more easily. Infantino praised the Government of Kosovo for making it a priority to improve the football infrastructure saying that Kosovo has many talents in football. Therefore, they deserve to be created the best possible conditions to develop their talent.
He also expressed confidence that Kosovo will succeed in the next matches. It was agreed in the meeting that through the FFK, the tripartite contacts in the realization of the projects would continue. Infantino once again congratulated the heads of FFK for the work done and let them know again that FIFA’s doors are always open for them as they are part of the big family of world football and as he pointed out, Kosovo is a special place for him.
