ISF President Meets Albanian Minister to Discuss School Sport Development and Future Hosting
May 26, Tirana, Albania – In May, ISF President Zeljko Tanaskovic held an official meeting with Blendi Gonxhja, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports of Albania, to exchange views on the development of school sport and future cooperation opportunities between ISF and Albanian sport and educational stakeholders.
The meeting focused on the important role of school sport in youth development, education, and international engagement, as well as the continued strengthening of the school sport movement in Albania through the work of the ISF Member, the Albanian School Sport Federation (FSHSSH).
During the discussions, ISF President Zeljko Tanaskovic encouraged continued institutional support for the FSHSSH and its activities, underlining the Federation’s key role as the national authority responsible for organising and developing school sport in Albania, as well as coordinating the country’s participation in ISF events.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to present the ISF event system and its international educational and sporting opportunities for young athletes. ISF highlighted the importance of encouraging Albanian student-athletes to actively participate in ISF competitions and educational programmes through the coordination of the Albanian School Sport Federation.
ISF presented the positive impact that hosting major international school sport events can generate for cities and countries, including:
- increased international visibility and promotion of the host destination;
- long-term sporting, educational, and organisational legacy for local communities;
- opportunities for youth engagement and intercultural exchange;
- development of sport infrastructure and event management capacities;
- strengthening cooperation between governmental, educational, and sporting institutions.
Particular attention was given to the ISF Gymnasiade, one of the world’s largest international multi-sport events for school athletes. Discussions explored the potential of a future Albanian candidature for the ISF Gymnasiade 2028. Blendi Gonxhja expressed the Ministry’s interest in further evaluating the organisational and infrastructural possibilities of hosting the ISF Gymnasiade 2028 together with the FSHSSH and other relevant stakeholders.
From ISF’s perspective, the institutional connection between sport, culture, and tourism in Albania reflects many of the broader dimensions carried by international school sport events today. Beyond competition itself, ISF events aim to promote intercultural exchange, educational values, international visibility for host destinations, and long-term social and sporting legacy.
In this context, discussions with Albanian authorities highlighted a shared understanding of the wider impact that school sport events can generate for host cities and countries. ISF looks forward to continuing exchanges with the Albanian School Sport Federation and relevant national stakeholders regarding future cooperation opportunities in Albania.
