The end of December is the time to make the balance of 2016, but also to look ahead at the challenges that await us in 2017.
We are about to conclude 2016, but what was this year for the basketball of Kosovo? What awaits us in 2017?
The President of the Kosovo Basketball Federation (KBF), Erolld Belegu, who was elected for another four year mandate as the head of the house of Kosovo basketball, will answer these questions.
2016, strengths and weaknesses of the Kosovo basketball?
The greatest achievement of the year has been the establishment and consolidation of the National Teams of both genders and almost all group-ages. This is a project that needed a lot of time, energy and resources, but it is one of our greatest achievements in the recent years.
Five National Teams of youth categories competed in respective European championships, 2000/2001 group-age proved that they belonged in Division B of Europe, leaving behind 10 countries in the European Championships final ranking of this Division, and functioning of the National Team A marked the highest point of our internal organization.
The participation in Eurobasket 2017 Qualifiers has been a success in terms of organizing, logistics and the appearance of Justin Doellman, Scott Bamforth and also Shawn Jones in the National Team of Kosovo has strengthened the position of Kosovo in the European map of basketball.
Unfortunately we were not able to win, even though we were very close, however, I'm very encouraged by the support we've had from our sponsors and the public and it makes me optimistic for the upcoming years.
We continue to have weaknesses, because we are limited in terms of infrastructure, institutional support and lack of experts. However, we have tried to get the most out of the existing structure and already have started to think about creating new professional staff in all segments necessary.
During 2016 you won another mandate as President of KBF, what are your priorities?
I have to say that a vote for another four-year mandate is the best evidence of the support that exists in the basketball community for our work. The new mandate also sets us up for new challenges. If the challenge of the first mandate was the affiliation to FIBA and the establishment or functioning of National Teams, in 2017 - 2020 we must work intensively to make KBF a federation of a European level.
Our priorities are the same but the way of executing them will change. If we managed to double the number of the teams of youth categories, in the next four years our main priority will be the education of coaches and quality control of their work.
If we managed to make new referees, the priority will be for those coaches to carry the mark of FIBA, and if we have quality delegates who successfully are observing games in the Balkan League (BIBL), the priority will be to create technical delegates for the future, as requested by FIBA.
If we already have national teams participating in the championships, now is the time to ask for results.
In order for all of this to be achieved we will need more people in the office of KBF and an internal reorganization, and the Executive Committee and Board are already working on that.
Which are the biggest achievements of Kosovo basketball in 2016?
The overall success is the work that was done with the National Teams and the fact that we hosted Slovenia, Ukraine and Bulgaria in Mitrovica, and successfully organized high-level games.
The number of the participating teams has increased in every league, the champion of the Balkan League was a team from the Kosovo Superleague and also two teams from the Kosovo Superleague participated in FIBA Europe Cup. I think that we are setting a growth trend in all directions and that should be a great motivation for us.
Challenges that await KBF in 2017?
We reached the point where KBF is focusing more on development programs and work with National Teams and we expect for the clubs to survive and function with less direct assistance from our side.
This will be our challenge for the future, however, with no doubt our main challenge for 2017 is to compete in World Cup "China 2019" Qualifiers with our Men’s National Team and compete in Division B with our youth categories.
Outside of the sports plan, our priority is reorganizing work in KBF and licensing programs for coaches and referees, which are expected to bring long-term benefits.
For the end, a wish for everyone that loves basketball?
Firstly, I would like to greet all basketball fans who with their support during the games and with their frank conversations and reviews about sports are helping us raise our level every day.
I wish everyone all the best in the New Year and hope to celebrate new successes together.