Two decades since the decision that opened the European doors for Kosovar handball

Two decades ago, on December 18, 2004, the Kosovo Handball Federation became a member with conditional rights, namely an associate member of the European Handball Federation (EHF). The decision was considered historic in that world and continues to be considered very important.

Kosovar handball teams started with appearances in European competitions in the following edition, 2005/06. This, in fact, was the main value of the decision - the breaking of many years of isolation for Kosovar handball clubs.

Of the Kosovar sports federations, only that of table tennis was accepted earlier, in 2002.

The conditional admission of the FHK to the EHF was preceded by a long and quite active lobbying campaign. The then leaders of the FHK, the chairman Mejhid Devaja and the general secretary, the now deceased Izet Gjinovci, for many years in a row had held numerous meetings with the leaders of the national federations, but also with the leaders and officials of the EHF.

The decision was taken at the EHF Extraordinary Congress held in Budapest.  The decision was taken with 20 votes in favor, ten abstentions and six against, writes in the history of Kosovar handball published on the official website of the EHF.

Mejhid Devaja, through a post made on Wednesday, wrote that that decision changed the history of Kosovar handball.

"Today we stop to reflect on an event that not only changed the history of handball in Kosovo, but became the cornerstone of the internationalization of our sport in general. Exactly 20 years ago, on December 18, 2004, the Kosovo Handball Federation was accepted into the European Handball Federation, becoming the first team sports federation from Kosovo that broke the isolation and opened a new window to the world."  wrote Devaja. "That day was the fulfillment of a dream, but also the culmination of a difficult path, filled with countless challenges, confrontations and sacrifices. It was the time when the name of Kosovo in the international arena was not officially recognized, when our identity required a voice, and when every step to get out of the shadow of oblivion required indomitable courage and a clear vision", Mejhid Devaja's article continues.

While waiting for the decision of the EHF, the representative of Kosovo in handball was participating in an international tournament in Luxembourg.

Ali Salihu, former handball player from Kosovo, remembered that moment.

"A phone rang at one of our tables and we realized it was a call from the leaders of our Handball Federation,  who were attending the next EHF congress in Budapest. We received the news that we were accepted to EHF. We started the party. The Dutch handball players who were in the same hall as us and against whom we were going to play that evening, once reacted a little strangely to our party, but then they were happy and celebrated with us. This news gave us wings. We won against the Dutch 30:26. That evening, we would probably win against any team, we were so motivated", wrote Salihu.

Another decade passed after that decision before the FHK was fully accepted into the EHF. The decision was taken in September 2014, before Kosovo was recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

The Besa team from Peja, then known as Besa Famiglia and now as Besa Famgas, played its first match in the European Cup. On September 3, 2005, Besa met in Peja with the Dutch team Bevo Pannningen. Lost 29:28 in a beautiful sports atmosphere.

For two decades on the European scene, Kosovar handball clubs have not made any great strides. Most have been passed by a European opponent, while the second opponent in each edition was insurmountable. Significantly higher footfall was hoped for by the time the decision was made.

Despite this, that decision of December 18, 2004 remains one of the most important in the history of handball, but also for Kosovar sports in general.