The President of the Albanian Football Association, Armand Duka, delivered a welcoming speech during the 2024 “Golden Ball” Gala Evening. At this special and grand event, President Duka expressed his deep gratitude to all the contributors who played a role in the unique successes and emotions of 2024.
President Duka thanked football players, coaches, club leaders, academies, associations, referees, the Executive Committee, the AFA administration, the government, FIFA, UEFA, collaborators, sponsors, fans, as well as the Albanian National Team, which delivered a dignified performance and made all Albanians proud during the finals of the UEFA European Championship “Germany 2024.”
Here is the full speech of the AFA’s president Armand Duka, held at the Gala Event “Golden Ball 2024”:
The brilliance of this evening, so carefully and lovingly curated down to the smallest detail, is something we all deserve to savor to the fullest.
Therefore, I will try to keep my words brief, simply to express my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you who have chosen to share this special evening with us, as well as those following us through TV KLAN.
Tonight, we have the privilege of welcoming the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, the President of the Kosovo Football Association, Mr. Agim Ademi, the renowned Spanish footballer Gaizka Mendieta, colleagues from other sports associations , and many personalities from the football world and beyond, esteemed friends to whom I extend a warm welcome.
First, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the 27,000 dedicated members of football activities in 2024: presidents, athletes, coaches, club and academy leaders, technical staff, referees, and, of course, the AFA’s administration for their extraordinary contribution during this record-breaking year. Together, we organized 14,670 football matches across 154 national and regional championships.
I also want to warmly welcome the children who joined our football family this year, assuring them that they will find the highest level of professionalism and utmost care to pursue their passion with us. At the same time, I encourage even more children to join our beautiful game, all you need is passion and desire. The Albanian Football Association will continue to provide everything for free: balls, uniforms, and sports facilities.
This year, 17 new football fields have been added, and 2 stadiums have been reconstructed, but it is still not enough. In collaboration with the government, we will add 5 new stadiums in Durrës, Tirana, Korçë, Vlorë, and Kavajë.
Thank you to the executive bodies, municipalities, and private partners who trusted and engaged in our infrastructure projects, creating new opportunities for our communities and giving hope to young people who dream of a future in sports.
I would also like to thank UEFA for entrusting us with the organization of 13 official international tournaments in our country, hosting 30 European teams this year.
Additionally, we have been entrusted with a major event in 2025: the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, which will begin with the draw ceremony in April for the 8 qualified teams and officially kick off with the opening match at the “National Arena” on May 19.
I am confident that this important sporting event, like all the events organized by the AFA, supported by all stakeholders and especially by the tradition of volunteerism we have built, will be a model championship.
Let us enjoy and support our team, which is participating for the first time in the finals of a European Championship for youth.
We eagerly await the decision regarding our candidacy to be one of the two host countries for the UEFA Euro U-21 Championship 2027, which will be decided by UEFA’s Executive Committee on February 4.
One of our Association’s objectives is to ensure that Albania is ready to host prestigious sports tournaments like this, which have the potential to transform football in our country and create a lasting legacy for future generations.
In September, Tirana will host the UEFA Executive Committee meeting, an event that confirms the Association’s consolidation as one of UEFA’s most valued partners and part of European football’s elite.
A special thank you goes to our loyal partners – Vodafone, Credins Bank, Sigal, MACRON, Uji Tepelena, Western Union, Infiniti Destinations, who have contributed to the consolidation of Albanian football, along with Abissnet. While we are the face of the game and its management, you are our support system and a crucial part of the financial strength that makes this extraordinary journey possible.
Dear players of the national team,
I cannot find words to thank you for what you have given us by making us part of Euro 2024. You have given us the opportunity to proudly display our red and black flag, not only in Germany but in every corner of the globe. We cannot repay you enough. It was an inner need for us to proudly express that we are Albanians. We have been waiting for a moment like this to demonstrate our national values and to prove that we are equally European.
Thank you, gratitude, and respect to all of you, dear players!
Special thanks and gratitude also go to the women’s national team, who ranked first in their Nations League group and were promoted to League B.
With professionalism, modesty, and love, we will continue to support you, the boys and girls of our national teams, in the qualifiers starting soon in February and March.
Dreaming of another destination, the 2026 World Cup. The groups are tough, the road is difficult, but nothing beautiful comes without hard work, desire, and dedication.
All teams have a 12th player, but ours is the best, the most beautiful, and the most devoted, one that has NEVER left you alone, in moments of success and less successful times. On your behalf, I extend my gratitude to the fans of the national team.
Finally, I want to thank all the winners tonight. You have been chosen as the best within our community, and this recognition is a testament to your dedication and passion. You are role models for future generations, examples that show that with hard work and commitment, anything is possible.
This day is not just a celebration – it is the culmination of everything we have achieved together and a moment to make a new promise: this year, let us move even further forward, more united, and with even more passion for what we love.
