OPEN LETTER, PRESIDENT OF AFA WRITES TO THE PRIME MINISTER - FSHF

OPEN LETTER, PRESIDENT OF AFA WRITES TO THE PRIME MINISTER

Dear Mr. Prime Minister!

Hoping that I have your attention, in this historic moment for creating the legal basis, which will incite sports in our country. Not only in overcoming this situation that we are currently going through but also paving the way of normal and formalized development.

Today, we find ourselves in an abnormal, unusual and undesired situation. The ball has stopped rolling for the Superior Category (Kategoria Superiore) and their academies, not only for professional football players but even children have remained without their biggest love: FOOTBALL.

Dialogue, understanding and cooperation are key for the mentality of athletes and in the world of sports. Thus, based in these principles, the Albanian Football Association in 2016, thanks to the results of the excellent representation of our national team, that achieved the biggest historic objective in qualifying in the finals of EURO 2016, with the added attention of the government towards us, took the initiative in proposing a legal package in the interest of football and sports in general.

In general, this legal package included the intervention in some laws and decisions of the Council of Ministers, aiming the creation of an autonomous sports economy. We took the initiative and prepared some draft laws with the relevant proposals. Our proposals were welcomed by the sports community and by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The judicial sector at the Council of Ministers delivered these proposals to the Ministries for technical feedback.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance never reflected a positive will. Furthermore, through a mediocre feedback, we observed a lack of vision for the future of the Albanian sport. There was no defined study for the feasibility of profits that these changes will bring. In this aspect, the study of World Health Organization was not taken under consideration for the economic contribution of sports in economy: ‘’for every invested dollar, it saves four in public health’’.

Football does not require charity Mr. Prime Minister, but investments for guaranteed security, that will return fourfold in the state budget.

Convinced for the need of an all-inclusive package in support of sports, we repeated our request in the hearing session of the parliamentary commission regarding the ‘’ New law of Sports’’ in 2017.

Your ability to transform crisis in opportunities was tested and approved on March 2019 during the meeting with the clubs. You listened the requests of the football community and accept them. You promised that within an ambitious deadline of 100 days you would turn into reality their requests. You declared that a deep process of reforms should start in football. This will create the opportunity of those who invest, to have a guaranteed investment, while those who are abroad, to show interest in investing in football.

I note with regret that the working group that was erected by your order, was quickly divided by political factor that seek the reforming flag in sports. This internal fight accompanied by the usual ‘’NO’’ of the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Finance, deteriorated the final product. Other of what was promised or what has been transmitted to you, this was not materialized in a reform document.

Regarding the ‘’Sponsoring Law’’, it is favorable for football and sports in general. Why is it so difficult to follow the example of the progress of Hungary or Germany?! Or more, to make of this law the same like the countries that have the same economy and problematics as us, like Montenegro or Kosovo.

As it is clearly noted, the ‘’theatre’’ of football did not collapse overnight, but after four years of investment of the legal bed that serves to us all: athletes, clubs, businesses and politics itself, promoting a fulfilled promise.

On the contrary, the professional ‘’theatre’’ of politics emerged threatingly, calling 20,000 football players and other athletes as ungrateful.

There is no gratitude for charity. There will be gratitude for equality, solidarity in difficult periods and ‘’fair-play’’.

Gratitude for building a healthy sports economy, independent from the governmental charity.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister

This is a matter of will and not prolonged and unsuccessful meetings. This depends on YOU and YOUR power. I call on you to exercise your power in the interest of football and ending the boycott.

With trust in your conscience, I ask one more time to keep your promise for a new beginning of Albanian sports

Sincerely,

ARMAND DUKA