At the “House of Football,” the football festival was held today as part of UEFA’s “Football in Schools” initiative, with the special participation of UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, President of the Albanian Football Association Armand Duka, and all members of the UEFA Executive Committee.
Also, the opening ceremony was attended by UEFA ambassadors Luís Figo and Aljoša Asanović, AFA’s ambassador for this event Jahmir Hyka, former players and local personalities, boys and girls from local schools, and parents, creating a festive atmosphere at the “House of Football.”
After the delegation’s arrival, the children formed a welcoming corridor for President Čeferin and President Duka.
The activity continued with a football match, featuring President Čeferin, Luís Figo, Aljoša Asanović, the coach of the Albanian national team Silvinho, the two assistant coaches Zabaleta and Doriva, Jahmir Hyka, and children from local schools, conveying the message that football, the world’s most beloved sport, is for everyone.
After the match, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and AFA President Armand Duka spoke to the Albanian media covering this very important event on the eve of the historic UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Tirana.
In his speech before the Albanian media, the UEFA President emphasized that football should unite people, not divide them. He stressed that people who use this game to spread their empty ideas should stay away from football.
“My message, not only for a particular match but for everyone, is that football and sport should be the thing that brings people together, not divides them. We must try to remove these ‘idiots’ who use football for their absurd ideologies. Everywhere, not just in one country, but in all countries. Because these people do not love football. They only love themselves and exploit football to spread their empty ideas.”
Asked why they waited so long to hold the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Tirana, the head of European football governance said:
“It didn’t take us long. I think this is the third or fourth meeting we are holding outside Switzerland. Every September we go to different countries. I think you now have a bronze medal, and that’s a very good thing.”
President Čeferin praised the football infrastructure in Albania, especially the national stadium. Regarding UEFA’s projects for Albania, he said that one should talk to President Duka and that, for now, he could not speak about anything concrete.
“You should talk to the President of the Albanian Football Association about this. But your infrastructure, especially the national stadium, is very beautiful. We can organize something here, but for now, it wouldn’t be right for me to speak about anything concrete. On the one hand, there is an application process, and on the other hand, I currently don’t know. I only know that your infrastructure is very good, and I have an excellent relationship with Armand, which helps a lot.”
Finally, the head of European football gave advice to young players across Europe and stressed that they should stay as long as possible in their domestic leagues.
“I would give one piece of advice to all young players, not only in Albania: work, work, and work. I tell them to stay as long as possible in their domestic leagues because it is easier to prove yourself in a domestic league and then go abroad. Many players make the mistake of leaving at the age of 16-17 for big clubs, and in the end, their careers finish prematurely. Therefore, they should enjoy football and train as much as possible.”
President Duka began his statement with a special thank you to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin. The head of the Albanian football governance described this historic moment as a recognition of the great work done by the football community in the country for the development of football in Albania.
“I would like to publicly thank UEFA President, Mr. Aleksander Čeferin, for the decision to hold the Executive Committee meeting in Tirana. This is not only an appreciation for the Football Association but for the entire Albanian football community. An acknowledgment of the cooperation between the Football Federation and UEFA and a respect for the work of the Albanian football community. It’s not just a meeting; it’s an event, including today’s activity—the football festival—which I believe will remain long in the children’s memory and will be an additional goal to join our game,” said AFA President Armand Duka.
