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By:
Endrit Makolli
- February 24, 2025 17:42 AM
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The Kosovo Handball Federation has been headed by Edin Kolgeci since January 30. The long-time leader of the Prishtina club was the only candidate for president of the FHK and won the trust of the delegates.
Kolgeci has big plans and goals for the federation, which is one of the most successful in the international arena, at least when it comes to team sports in the country.
"Like every federation and every president, the plans are to have the best possible conditions and development. We have many plans and priorities, especially in the coming month, but in the future we also have many projects for the fastest possible development of handball and some projects and plans that we have together with the ministry and also with some international institutions," Kolgeci said in an interview with KOHĦA, on Monday.
The FHK is the third highest ranked federation in the country, after judo and volleyball, according to the MCYS categorization.
The national handball teams have appeared in the World Cup twice, while they have achieved qualification through alternative routes, namely the IHF Trophy competition.
Kosovo U21 handball players were at the World Cup in Spain a few years ago, while Kosovo U18 handball players appeared at the World Championship in China.
"Handball has been the most successful collective sport in Kosovo. So far, we have been the highest ranked sport, right after judo. We are a sport that has participated in two world championships. We participate in all qualifying competitions with the men's and women's A national teams. We also have success with new generations," added Kolgeci.
His big goal, but also that of the Kosovo Handball Federation, is to qualify for a major event with the senior representative teams.
Kosovo's handball players are in the middle of qualifying for the European Championship. They lost to the Faroe Islands and drew with the Netherlands. Next month they play two crucial matches against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Kosovo's handball players have defeated Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first round of World Championship qualifiers. They will now face Sweden in April for World Championship qualification.
"Appearing with Kosovo A in the World or European Championship is one of our biggest goals. I consider that we are close, although it is not easy," added Kolgeci.
While the FHK boasts of the successes of the representatives, domestic competitions remain more challenging.
"In the current edition of the Super League, I cannot say that we have any ups or downs. I think it is the same as it has been in previous years. Hopefully, in the coming years, each club, with the help of the federation and with the help of the club leaderships, will have more serious investments so that we have greater competition. Then the league, the players and the clubs will develop," emphasized Edin Kolgeci.
The FHK is represented by around six teams in each edition of European competitions. But no team has yet been able to get past more than one European opponent.
