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The President of the Albanian Football Federation (AFF), Armand Duka, participated in the panel "Albanian Diaspora and the Power of Sport", held as part of the Albanian Diaspora Summit in Tirana, on April 13-15, 2026. The discussion also included former captains of the National Team, Altin Lala and Lorik Cana, as well as the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Endrit Hoxha.
The role of the National Team in connecting with the diaspora
During his speech, the Duke noted the impact of the national team's results in increasing interest in football and strengthening ties with Albanians abroad. He mentioned the qualifications for the 2016 and 2024 European Championships as key moments.
" The results of the Albanian National Team, especially with the qualification for "EURO 2016" and "EURO 2024", even the qualification for the "play-off" now, have generally served the Albanian national cause. We perhaps needed to show ourselves who we are and the National Team has given us this opportunity ."
Football beyond sporting results
The head of the Albanian Football Federation emphasized that the development of football is not only related to achievements on the field, but also to the impact on society, especially on young people.
" In my vision, the purpose of football is not simply to get results, but to have as many people as possible educated through sport. But to have as many people as possible you have to get results, so it's a kind of circle ."
He added that Albania has made significant progress over the years, going through a period of transition towards more sustainable development, where sport can play a role in increasing the quality of life.
" How can the quality of life be improved? One of the ways is through sport, through football ."
Relations with the diaspora and investments in football
The Duke underlined the importance of relations with Albanians abroad, especially through the inclusion of players born in the diaspora in national teams.
" We have done a lot to have a very good relationship with Albanians living outside Albania. Today we have national teams where young people play who were perhaps born outside Albania ."
According to him, investments in infrastructure, relationships and results are essential for the further development of football in the country.
Special appreciation was given to the Albanian fans, whom the Duke described as providing extraordinary support for the National Team.
" In football it's called the 12th player, and in Albania you can say more than the 12th player, because they support football so much ."
He emphasized that the high interest in the National Team's matches is also reflected in the demand for tickets.
" Today it's not a problem to have people in the stadium, but it's a problem how to get people a ticket ."
The need to institutionalize the role of ambassadors
In conclusion, the Duke spoke about the need to organize and institutionalize the role of Albanian footballers as ambassadors of the country.
" We have many ambassadors in the football we play, but what we need to do is institutionalize this relationship and make the most of it ."
He added that through an organized approach, football can further contribute to improving Albania's image in the international arena.
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