PRISTINA - Twenty four professional basketballs and forty-eight sets consisting of shirt, jersey and trousers were donated by KFOR to Basketball Club Trepca in South Mitrovica. The club’s mission is to bring together children and youth groups of different Kosovo ethnicities to socialize through basketball training and competitions. Basket is very popular in Kosovo, and KB Trepca programmes involve 2,000 girls and boys aged between 10 and 18. KFOR will contribute to the club’s activities, which also include specific courses for young people belonging to the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities living in the region.
“KFOR is committed to foster inter-ethnic coexistence and has included the donation in its initiatives to assist local institutions and organizations”, stated US Army Colonel Noel Hoback, KFOR Regional Command East’s Deputy Commander. The project was funded by NATO and implemented by the KFOR Civil-Military Cooperation branch, in close cooperation with the US-led Regional Command East.
“We are very grateful to KFOR. Our mission is to engage children and youth groups of different ethnicities through basketball training programs, sessions, conditioning drills and competitions. These activities allow young generations to exercise, socialize and develop skills that will be useful throughout their lives. KFOR donation will bring us closer to our goal”, declared Naim Hajrizi, the director of Basketball Club Trepca.
The delivery took place at South Mitrovica Sport Hall, where 24 girls and 24 boys were handed-over a set by KFOR soldiers, whilst taking preventive measures against COVID19. A three on three tournament with the new equipment concluded the event.
“Due to COVID19 I had to train outdoor and am now looking forward to the new regular season, which will benefit of KFOR’s donation”, said Melisa, a KB Trepca young member who plays in the women’s league.