Nigeria, Kosovo to play friendly after sports partnership

the National Sports Commission has sealed a bilateral sporting relationship with the Federal Republic of Kosovo, a development expected to boost the country’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerian Sports Economy, with plans already underway for a friendly football match between the two nations.

The pact was consummated in Abuja when the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, at his office.

Konjufca said Kosovo viewed Nigeria as a leading economy in Africa with vast human, capital and natural resources, adding that a diplomatic tie between both countries would be mutually beneficial.

“The Government of Kosovo is very happy to visit Nigeria, and we are very excited with the level of reception we have been accorded by the Nigerian Government. This can only mark the beginning of a long-term, strong diplomatic relationship between our two countries,” he said.

He disclosed that the Kosovo delegation had earlier held a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, before proceeding to explore areas of sporting collaboration with Nigeria, particularly in football and judo.

“We had a fantastic meeting with the SGF, and because we know how big Nigeria is with sports, we decided to come and see how our new relationship with Nigeria can fully be feasible in this area, especially in football and judo, amongst other sports,” Konjufca said.

“This is why we are proposing a friendly match between the Nigeria national team and the Kosovo national team, and we are also ready to have capacity building in judo, where we have produced several world and Olympic champions.”

Responding, Olopade lauded the Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister for the visit and assured him that his country had picked the right partner for socio-economic and sporting diplomacy.

“I can tell you that we are super delighted for this honour by Kosovo, and we are ready for every form of sporting collaboration that will mutually benefit both countries,” Olopade said.

“At the Sports Commission, through the mandate given to us by the President, we are building an ecosystem that is economically friendly for sports, and this collaboration with Kosovo will further boost that drive.”