FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Football, although it has united Albanians through the National Team, has served as a powerful instrument to turn the red and black team into a worthy ambassador for our country. The qualification in "EURO 2024" is an advertisement for Albania and the clearest indicator of the work done by the AFL for the growth of football in the country. In addition to European representation, Albanian football is best represented in Europe at the UEFA institutional level. The president of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka, after becoming part of the Executive Committee in 2019, was also elected vice-president of UEFA in April of this year. One more responsibility, which the head of the ALF also says in the interview given to "Tirana Diplomat". President Duka also talks about the influence that the Red and Black National Team has on the diplomatic level, as well as about the frequent meetings he has had with diplomats from different countries.
Football Albania has turned into a uniting factor for Albanians from all over the world. As President, for two decades, has this been a strategy of the AFL also in the optics of a sports diplomacy, which the Albanian state cannot play?
- The national team is undoubtedly the best ambassador of Albania on the diplomatic level. This was especially proven in the Euro France 2016 finals, when all the international media reported every day about Albania's football, thus promoting a fantastic image of the country everywhere. Through football, Albania has obtained the best possible promotion.
The same thing even now after qualifying for the Euro 2024 finals, everyone writes and talks about the National Team and echoes the achievements of Albanian football. And from these achievements, of course, our country gains a lot in diplomatic terms, being a factor of unification as well due to the fact that footballers from all Albanian territories play in the National Team. This is the magic and power of football, which manages to bring all Albanians together, on and off the field.
The AFL announced the "Football for the Nation 2022-2025" strategy a year ago with clear objectives, which are becoming a reality day by day, through a great deal of work, great investments, sacrifices and a vision to bring Albania to a new level. other, even the diplomatic one. Undoubtedly, in this perspective, the AFL plays a key role and I feel good when I find that in many cases it has done much more than the Albanian state itself, turning football into a locomotive that drives the development of Albanian society, and is even ahead compared to other areas of life.
You are the first Albanian sports official to be elected Deputy. President of UEFA, organization that includes all European countries, giving an international dimension to the Federation. How much can your role influence the panorama of relations with sister federations including giants such as Germany, Italy, France or England?
- Undoubtedly, my election to the post of UEFA Vice President is a great achievement for me personally, for the AFL and for Albania. I feel appreciated for the work, the contribution during a long period in football. The election to this high management position in such an important international organization makes me feel an even greater obligation for the trust and support they have given me, to reward them with work, results and honesty in all decision-making. governing body.
We have very good relations with UEFA, the homologous federations in general and the AFL staff has shown this with the correctness and the appropriate organizational level in every competition we have hosted or where we have participated. UEFA is a solid, democratic, balanced organization, and its foundations are solidarity, cooperation with all federations, as well as the best possible management of all its sporting and financial activities.
UEFA's support to me in this particular case is the support to have in its bosom from all levels and sizes of federations. The goal of UEFA is that all together, large and small countries, with more or less contributions to football, be balanced and jointly develop football in the respective countries. Albania is one of the 55 members of this institution and if it does its duties well, it benefits quite a bit. Every year we organize qualifying tournaments, which give chances to young people, but also other organizations such as the grand final of the UEFA Conference League and the finals of the 2025 European Championship for the age of U-17, which have been entrusted to Albania.
You often meet foreign ambassadors, you have given a very good image to the institution of the AFL. What is the theme?
- The Albanian Football Federation is one of the most important institutions in Albania, which has the sole responsibility for the development, organization and governance of football throughout the country. I say this referring to the weight and role that football has in our society, as the most beloved sport for Albanians. It is important to understand that our role as the governing body of football in Albania goes beyond the appearances of the national team and the organization of all our professional clubs. The AFL is proud of its role in Albanian society as a catalyst for change, strongly supporting the inclusion and engagement of as many young men and women in football as possible.
The AFL has an important role in uniting the nation, with members of the wider sports community, thus promoting a positive image of Albanian football and Albania in the international arena. In this context, I often have meetings with ambassadors and diplomatic missions from all countries to discuss cooperation in many fields, joint projects and the support that their countries can give to the further development of Albanian football. We have an excellent relationship and partnership with the entire diplomatic body in our country. It is honestly a pleasure when I receive recognition for the great work we have done in the AFL to transform football over the years and this evolution is tangible for everyone.
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