MUNICH (Germany) – The Basketball Federation of Kosovo played host for the first ever time to an enormously successful FIBA Europe U14 Get-Together in the capital Pristina from October 17-19.
The event that has evolved into a staple of the European youth basketball calendar year after year, took place in conjunction with the 5th meeting of the FIBA Europe Youth Commission, that was presided by FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa.
Pristina welcomed 58 specialists in youth basketball from 34 different countries all around Europe, while 45 local coaches who work specifically with young players also took part in the three-day long program of theoretical and practical workshops.
FIBA coaching instructors Nenad Trunic and Matthias Zollner led the on-court sessions which focused on long-term player development, individual skills for U14 players and core offensive and defensive principles. The instructors also introduced both the international and local coaches to age-appropriate practice drills for young players.
“We are grateful to the Kosovo Basketball Federation for their warm hospitality and excellent organization of both the U14 Get-Together and the FIBA Europe Youth Commission meeting,” said FIBA Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak.
"The U14 Get-Together has now a proven track record as one of the best tools to improve the qualifications of coaches who work with youth players. Developing Youth Basketball is a FIBA strategic objective and this event in Prishtina helped us build on the great work we have done already in that direction and continue improving the means that will secure the future success of our sport."
“We are honored to host the FIBA Europe U14 Get-Together in Kosovo for the very first time. This initiative plays a crucial role in developing our coaches, who are the foundation of youth basketball,” said Kosovo Basketball Federation President Arben Fetahu.
“By sharing knowledge, modern methodologies and best international practices, we are investing directly in the future of our young players. We sincerely thank FIBA for the trust and continuous support in creating such platforms for education and growth. As a Federation, we remain fully committed to empowering our coaches and building a brighter basketball future for our country.”
The program included a presentation by Kosovo Basketball Federation Secretary General Elvira Dushku entitled ‘Strengthening the foundation of youth basketball in Kosovo’.
The attendants of the Get-Together also had the unique opportunity to participate in an interactive session led by Radmila Turner, FIBA Head of National Federations Sport/Youth & Anti-Doping Europe, and Vlora Braha, FIBA’s Single Point of Contact for the Kosovo federation, on the topic of safeguarding of young players.
FIBA