No problem for Kosovo team in Belgrade, where it competed equally with other states

A race that failed to give media pomp was a remarkable success. The Republic of Kosovo has achieved a great victory today. Kosovo athletes for the first time participated in an international contest held within Serbia's territory, where they represented the state of Kosovo.

It's about the Balkan athletic competition at the gym, where Kosovo was presented with its athletes and the inscription on the chest.

Kosovo Athletics Federation Chairman Halil Sylejmani, who is located together with the Kosovo team in Serbia, in a statement handed out to Gazette Express, said Kosovo was treated the same as other states by Serb locals.

He points out that there was no problem, and the race went smoothly.

The participation of the Kosovo Athletic Federation has been very good, and athletes have competed with their peers very well. There was no ecstasy, everything normal. We represent the Kosovo Athletic Federation, member of the Balkan, European and World Athletic Federation in this race equal to other federations”, Sylejmani stressed for Express.

On the other hand, he said Kosovo's flag was not put in the race, as there were no flags of any participating state in the race. The first Kosovo athlete even expressed gratitude for the expectation that organisers made to Kosovo.

There were no participating states flags in this race. Waiting by the co-organist, the Athletic Federation of Serbia has been at the right level, we are grateful to”, Sylejman concluded.

To date, Kosovo has not participated in international contests that have been held in Serbia, rather, are always banned. The most recent case was when the Kosovo Box Federation delegation was not allowed three times to enter Serbia to participate in the World Championship that was held there.

This stop from Serbia was greatly criticised by European and world boxing and sports institutions in general. The International Olympic Committee then added pressure on Serbia, urging Kosovo athletes not to prevent it from participating in the competitions organised there. /