Kosovo’s Acting Minister of Youth and Sports Blerim Gashani spoke exclusively to the KosovaPress News Agency during an interview in Taranto, Italy, where the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games are being held. He spoke about the importance of Kosovo’s participation in the General Assembly of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG), preparations for the Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games, and expectations for Kosovo’s athletes in this edition.

Gashani said that at the General Assembly, Kosovo will present concrete results of the work carried out so far in preparation for hosting the 2030 Mediterranean Games.

“We are convinced that before the assembly, we have things to say, things to show, and things to prove to everyone, demonstrating that Kosovo has made and is making rapid progress in preparing for the Games. We are now moving from the dream, from the vision and strategy, toward implementation, I believe. We are already beginning to rapidly implement the steps, work, actions and activities that will lead us toward properly preparing to host the Mediterranean Games in 2030. This is an extremely important event for our country, an event that, as you have heard me and everyone else say many times, we are treating as a national priority,” Gashani emphasized.

According to him, preparations for Prishtina 2030 have now entered a new phase, focused on implementing plans and making concrete decisions.

A special moment for Kosovo in Taranto will be the handover ceremony of the baton for the next edition of the Mediterranean Games, which will be held in Prishtina in 2030.

Gashani emphasized that this is precisely why Kosovo’s representation in Taranto is particularly important, as the Kosovo delegation will have the opportunity to use this edition to begin promoting Prishtina as the next host.

“The Games in Taranto 2026 are particularly significant for us because the baton for the next Games will be handed over to us, so our representation here must be excellent. Our team is not only large but also high-quality, and in addition to being high-quality, it is enthusiastic and optimistic that we will return with very good results. But beyond the results, we will represent our Kosovo with dignity and use this as a boost, as a springboard for the next Games, with the aim that at the next edition we will not only excel in organizing them, but also in the performance of our athletes,” Gashani said.

Regarding sporting results, the Acting Minister of Youth and Sports acknowledged that the greatest expectations for medals are in judo, but stressed that Kosovo also has high-quality athletes in other disciplines.

He said Kosovo’s athletes in Taranto will not only be aiming for medals, but also to represent the country with the greatest possible dignity.

For Kosovo, the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games are also special because this edition officially marks the beginning of the journey toward Prishtina 2030, when Kosovo will host one of the largest international sporting events ever organized in the country.

The KosovaPress News Agency is in Taranto to closely follow the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, Kosovo’s representation, the competitions involving Kosovo’s athletes, as well as developments related to preparations for the Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games.