Hajrizi and Pëquku the best of the year in basketball

Drilon Hajrizi and Arbnore Përquku received the main awards at the "Laureates 2023" ceremony organized by the Kosovo Basketball Federation (FBK), on Thursday night. In this ceremony, the best basketball players of Kosovo for 2023 were honored, as well as those who have made a valuable contribution to this sport. This is the first time that FBK is choosing the best after more than a decade, while the ceremony held in Pristina was highly appreciated by those present. The ceremony started with a minute's silence to remember coach Illmen Bajra, who died on Wednesday at the age of 32 at the university clinic in Frankfurt, Germany.

"I know that we have had a successful year, which we are closing with this ceremony for choosing the best. We have broken records in terms of quality, visibility and sponsorships, but of course we also have problems, which we will solve together. I believe that next year will be even more successful than this year", said the head of FBK, Arben Fetahu.

Drilon Hajrizi from Trepça has been declared the best basketball player of the year, which he is closing with good performances, but he has not lacked success with his team. Hajrizi was among the most deserving that the team from Mitrovica won two trophies this year, the Cup and the Super Cup of Kosovo. Hajrizi had received the most points from the commission, which FBK had engaged to select the best of the year. Hajrizi also received the audience award, while among the women, Elektra Zykaj from Pristina was awarded this award. Also, in the men's competition, the best five of the year was also chosen, part of which without a doubt was Hajrizi. In addition to Hajrizi, Arian Qallaku (Peja), Arti Hajdari (P.C. Prizreni), Dardan Berisha (S. Prishtina) and Gëzim Morina (G.E. Ylli) were part of the five of the year. The epithet of the best basketball player of the year has been won by the end of the Bashkimi team from Prizren, Arbnore Përquku. Perquku ended this year with great success, after winning the title, the cup and the Supercup of Kosovo with Bashkimi. Also among the women, the best five of the year was chosen, which was won by Përquku. Besides Përkuqut, Aulona Muhadri (Bashkimi), Astera Tuhina (Washington State University), Elektra Zykaj (Prishtina) and Vanesa Bojku (Penza) also took place in the top five of the year. As for the clubs, Peja was declared the best of the year among men, while Bashkimi among women. This year, Peja won the title of champion of Kosovo, while Bashkimi wrote history by securing the "treble". The best coach of the year was announced as Dritëro Sefaja, who is the selector of the U20 Representative of Kosovo, the assistant of the Representative A of Kosovo and the coach of KB Kerasan. The most distinguished worker of the year was declared Ideal Bakija, who is the sports director of KB Vellaznimit, while the best judge was Xelal Mumini. Jon Ismajli and Malvina Haziri were announced as the hopes of the year, who, with only 14 years of age, has exploded this edition in the women's Super League with the Pristina jersey. Also during this ceremony, acknowledgments were also shared, such as those for professor Masar Nixha and Resmije Junik, who were honored for their contribution to Kosovo basketball. Both received the "Veterans of the Year" award.