The year 2017 has been very compressive, but also fruitful for the Kosovo Basketball Federation (KBF). In addition to the competitions at the level of competitions, where the leagues of all categories, from U-12 to senior, in both competitions, KBF has had different challenges, both local and international level.
Youth camps were organized in coordination with FIBA, followed by seminars for trainers, referees, observers, also in cooperation with FIBA, as well as mutual visits, such as senior FIBA officials in Kosovo, as well as those of KBF in FIBA, and all this to further deepen cooperation in order to reach the development of Kosovo’s basketball teams in all areas.
In 2017, Kosovo has achieved historic success after securing a place for qualifications for the 2019 World Cup, thus becoming part of the 32 national teams competing in this competition.
At the club level in 2017, Sigal Prishtina debuted at the Basketball Champions League, then played at FIBA Europe Cup, while in the Balkan League Sigal Prishtina, Peja, Trepça and Bashkimi played in the competition of men, while the goal is that in 2018 we also have a women's club in international competitions.
Overall, much work has been done, but even bigger is expected to be in 2018, where the KBF headed by its chairman, Erolld Belegun and the Board, are ready for all the challenges facing the federation in the year which is coming.
Below you will find some of the most important events that were in 2017 basketball in Kosovo:
- On 7 and 8 January 2017 in Prishtina was held the Clinic for Kosovo Referees and Observers, which was led by FIBA instructor, Englishman Mark Paton. In fact it was the first such kind of clinic organized by FIBA in Kosovo, where assisting referees were informed about the work and management of the work in the official desk. Thus, assisting referees had the opportunity to be informed about the DSS (Digital Scoresheet), and they were tests for their knowledge of the rules and the work on the official desk.
- On January 10, organized by the Kosovo Basketball Federation in Pristina, was held the clinic for referees of the Super League of Kosovo under the patronage of FIBA SCOD program. The clinic was led by the FIBA instructor, Macedonian Gjorgji Piperkov, while 25 judges from the Kosovo’s basketball elite participated.
- From 13 to 15 January, Kosovo participated in the international tournament organized in Skopje, Macedonia with age group U-14/15 in men's competition. This tournament is organized within the framework of the New Generation Development Project of FIBA Europe, led by the Turkish Basketball Federation, and implemented by Romania, Kosovo, Bulgaria and Macedonia.
- On 1 and 2 February, a workshop organized by FIBA was held in Munich, Germany, with a view to preparing the National Federations for pre-qualification and qualification for the 2019 World Cup. Kosovo Basketball Federation (KBF) at this event represented two members of the KBF staff.
- From 3 to 5 February was held the Camp for Initial Judges at the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety in Vushtrri. The camp was led by the National Instructor of KBF, Faton Kurshumlija.
- On February 8, the KBF has dispersed Molten balls, size 5 (mini-basket balls) for the U-12 League clubs. The balls were FIBA's donation to the KBF. Clubs that have benefited from this donation are those of the U-12 League.
- On February 19th, 2017, the BFK’s Work Council was held at the Municipal Assembly Hall in Mitrovica. In the Work Council, BFK leaders reported to the delegates on Labor Activity. Delegates have unanimously approved the Work Report, the Representatives Report and the Financial and Audit Report, the Action Plan and the Draft Budget for 2017, which were also unanimously approved by the delegates. The Arbitration Regulation was also approved, which was also the last item of the Order of the Day.
- The Kosovo Cup Final tournament was held on 17 and 19 February at the "Minatori" gym in Mitrovica, where in the semifinals of February 17, Sigal Prishtina defeated Trepça and Peja was a team better than the Union. In the finals on February 19, two teams from Pristina, Sigali (men) and Pristina (women) have managed to win the Cup trophy, defeating precisely the two teams from Peja, Peja and Penza.
- Seminar on basketball coaches was held from February 23 to 25, organized by Basketball Federation of Kosovo (BFK) and Kosovo Basketball Training Coaches Association (SHTBK). In this seminar was taught by the well-known Slovenian coach, Anton Krump, also FIBA instructor.
- From 24 to 26 February, FIBA and KBF in Gjakova organized a Clinic for Potential Candidate Judges (National) for FIBA calls. In this clinic were lectured Dragan Medan and Gjorgi Piperkov, FIBA instructor. It should be noted that this is the second consecutive time that the Basketball Federation of Kosovo (BFK) is entrusted with such an organization.
- On March 1st, Kosovo Basketball Federation Board appointed the Professional Council, Selection Officers and Assistants of Kosovo Representatives of U-16, U-18, U-20 and U-16 U-18 women.
- On March 3, FIBA Europe has confirmed the participation of 80 basketball players / basketball players for the "Time-Out" innovative project. The project is unique and targets players who have recently retired from basketball and want to continue their career in sports outside the field. KBF in this program has nominated Elvira Dushku, former basketball player of the University of Pristina, winner of dozens of trophies in Kosovo, now in the role of Acting Secretary General and Ard Islami, former basketball player of all generations of Pristina, as well as recently played for the RTV21 team. Islam is employed in BFK in the role of the finance officer.
- On 6 March, FBK appointed the well-known Slovenian coach and FIBA instructor Anton Krump as chairman of the Vocational Council and jointly developed a program for the training and licensing of Basketball Trainers in Kosovo. All the trainers were subjected to this process and in the 2017/18 edition in no league of Kosovo, no rank could have been worked by the trainers who didn’t take part on the program or who did not meet the criteria and consequently did not have their licensing.
- On March 13, two years have passed since the membership of the Basketball Federation of Kosovo at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). KBF on March 13, 2015 was the 215th member of FIBA at the FIBA Executive Committee meeting held in Geneva. From that time up to now, Kosovo basketball has faced diverse challenges, but has also experienced new international adventure and success.
- On March 14, FIBA Europe officially informed KBF that two Kosovo coaches, Ilir Selmani and Ismet Ferati were admitted to the FECC (FIBA Europe Coaching Certificate) program, which will last two years (2017-2019) and they will then have the opportunity to be certified. It should be noted that in the FECC program of the period, 2015-2017, Kosovo was the only state that had three trainers and they are Dritero Sefaja, Edon Godeni and Petrit Zeqiri, who are soon expected to be certified in this program of FIBA Europe.
- On April 8, the chairman of KBF, Erolld Belegu in Istanbul, met with FIBA Europe President Turgay Demirel. During this meeting, the number one of KBF, announced the head of FIBA Europe for the latest developments in Kosovo’s basketball, while Demirel has once again expressed his readiness and the institution he leads to assist in the development of Kosovar basketball through training of trainers, referees, observers, BFK staff, and through various projects for new categories.
- On April 8, Kosovo Basketball Training Trainers Association (SHKBK) held its Election Assembly, among which the new draft of SHTBK statute was approved. Meanwhile, as the next item on the agenda was the presentation of the Program of the System of Training and Licensing of Trainers, this was presented by the chairman of the BFK Professional Council, Anton Krump. Also, Arben Krasniqi was unanimously voted for a mandate by the delegates present for the chair of the SHTBK.
- On 14 April, the Kosovo Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the Basketball Federation of Kosovo (BFK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of financial support for achieving the goals and objectives of the federation for 2017. MCYS has decided to support BFK with 210 thousand euros.
On 23 April, BFK chairman Erolld Belegu presented the new selector of Kosovo A representative, well-known American strategist Brad Greenberg, with whom he also signed the contract. Greenberg previously also headed the Hapoel Midgal Jerusalem club with which he won the title, which he did with Maccabi Bazan Haifa, and was assistant to the Venezuelan Representative, and was vice president of Portland Trail Blazers, assistant coach of New York Knicks and LA Clippers. In 2017, with the team Eskisehir has managed to occupy a place in the Turkish Superliga after the triumph in the Turkish First League.
- From 27 to 30 April, Kosovo U-14/15 (men) has participated in an international tournament in Bucharest, Romania. This tour was organized by Romania's Basketball Federation within the FIBA Europe's New Generation Development project, led by Turkey's Basketball Federation, and implemented by Romania, Kosovo, Bulgaria and Macedonia.
- On May 5th, the Basketball Federation of Kosovo has received an official invitation from Basketball Champions League director Patrick Comninos for the Kosovo Champion Team (2016/2017) to take part in the qualifying round for this 2017/18 edition. Sigal Prishtina debuted in 2017, but failed to qualify.
- On May 11, Peja’ s team Penza was declared Kosovo's champion for 2016/17 in the Women's League. Peja’s basketball players have triumphed in the two final play-off matches. In this way, after year later Penza's basketball players returned the title to Peja, while the Kosovo Cup from Peja this year has returned to the capital. Prishtina and Penza are leading trophies in women's basketball in Kosovo since the war.
- On May 12, Borea's team from Peja became the newest member of Kosovo's Superliga in basketball. The Peja team has triumphed in two consecutive games of the First League play-off final against Drita from Gjilan.
- On May 20th, Kosovo Basketball Federation chairman Erolld Belegu and Board member Arben Fetahu participated in the General Assembly of FIBA Europe held in Berlin, Germany. In this Assembly, FIBA Europe President Turgay Demirel spoke about the one-year work, while Secretary General Kamil Novak, along with other FIBA Europe Commissions, has reported on the one of Treasury and Finance, the Legal, then the Competition, New Generations, Small States etc etc.
- On May 22 at the age of 54, Riza Zeqiri, former basketball player of several Kosovo teams, died. Zeqiri, known with the nickname "Gricka" after the war, was a trainer of the younger generations in the Prishtina team, while he was also assistant to the Real University team, and a period has been a member of the Coaches Committee.
- On May 24, Sigal Prishtina was declared Kosovo champion for 2016/17. The white and blues have managed to defend the championship title by defeating Bashkimi, the team from Prizren after the series 3: 1 in the final play-off of the Super League of Kosovo. For Sigal Prishtina this is the 12th title of the champion since the post-war, and the fourth consecutive, while for Bashkimi this was the second final, while the guys from Prizren have never been adorned with title since the post-war. It should be noted that the white and blues in this edition have also won the Kosovo Cup trophy by defeating the final in Peja.
- On May 27 and 28 in Pristina, the International Clinic for Basketball Coaches was held. The clinic was organized by the Basketball Federation of Kosovo in cooperation with Kosovo Basketball Coaches Association, while Mehmed and Sani Becirovic from Slovenia, Arben Krasniqi and Korab Maloku and Besnik Podvorica from Kosovo were lectured. This Clinic is the first one to be organized within the Program for Training and Licensing of Trainers, this is a new program of KBF and SHTBK.
On May 30th, the Basketball Federation of Kosovo has rewarded its Super League clubs and the Women's League for the results achieved in 2016/17. In this way Kosovos basketball team, Sigal Prishtina, was awarded 12,000.00 euros, while the sub-champion team, Bashkimi of Prizren, has met 6,000.00 euros. Meanwhile, the teams that have managed to secure a place in the playoffs of the Kosovo Superliga (beside Sigal Prishtina, Bashkimi, Peja and Trepça) were rewarded with 3,000.00 euros. The women's championship team, Penza from Peja, has been awarded the sum of 2,000.00 euros.
- On June 11th at the age of 72, Tafil Hoxha, former referee and observer and multi-year basketball and sports worker died. Tafil Hoxha was a Republican referee in the former Yugoslavia and for many years has divided justice in the republican league and federal women's league. After the independence of Kosovo's sport, in the 1990s he was a observer and a member of various bodies and commissions in BFK. As a matchmaker he was engaged even after the war until several years ago.
- On 21st of June, Gëzim Morina and Erjon Kastrati became the youngest names of Representative A of Kosovo. The Basketball Federation of Slovenia and the Basketball Federation of Kosovo have reached an agreement that Morina and Kastrati from now on carry the shirt of Kosovo. This agreement reached between the two federations was also done with the consent of Morina and Kastrati, who have shown willingness to play for Kosovo. Both basketball players have been part of Slovenia, while they have now changed their basketball citizenship, from the Slovenian to the Kosovar. Everything was formalized by FIBA on July 26th after completing the documentation by the BFK for the basketball players in question.
- From 16th of July, Daut Mehmeti, Xhelal Mumini and Dardan Maxhuni are Kosovo referees who will now be FIBA referee callers. Mehmeti, Mumini and Maxhuni, the Kosovo SuperLiga referees and followers of many FIBA clinics and seminars were awarded with FIBA titles at the camp for licensing new international referees, held in Zagreb. Daut Mehmeti, Xhelal Mumini and Dardan Maxhuni became the first Kosovars to receive the FIBA license, following Mithat Belegut, who had been summoned by the international referees in 1978.
- On 15th and 16th of July, organized by the Basketball Federation of Kosovo and in cooperation with FIBA in Prishtina, was organized the Summer Camp for Referees within FIBA SCOD project. This camp was led by the FIBA instructor, Gjorgi Piperkov and the National Instructor of KBF, Faton Kurshumlija.
- On July 19th, Faton Kurshumlija became an observer call holder licensed by FIBA. Faton Kurshumlija in 2016 has ended the career of the Kosovo SuperLiga referee and has already successfully been licensed for the observer's work at the training, which was held in Zagreb.
- On July 23rd, Kosovo's U-20 representative has completed her adventure at the European Championship U20, Division B in Romania's Oradea in the 12th position. Our representative in Oradea has recorded 5 losses and 3 wins. The U-20 European Championship in Oradea, Romania, started on 14th and ended on July 23rd. It should be noted that during the summer of 2017 Kosovo has also participated with 4 New Representatives in the European Championship, Divisions B and C. With U-16 men competed in Division B and U-18 men in Division C, while women’s team competed with the U-16 and U-18 in Division C, which have had solid appearances in the aforementioned competitions.
- On August 2nd, Kosovo Basketball Representative has won the European Pre-Qualification Phase of the World Cup "China 2019". Kosovo at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Pristina before about 2000 viewers has defeated Macedonia with a score of 72:68.
- On August 9th, the Kosovo basketball player has suffered a loss in Tallinn from Estonia with a score of 76:50. This match met European Group C Prequalification’s for the World Cup "China 2019".
- On 13th of August, Kosovo A representative recorded the second consecutive loss in Group C of the European World Cup Qualifiers "China 2019". Kosovo has been defeated by Macedonia with figures 87:74.
- On August 19th, Kosovo's representative has secured a place for qualifications for the China 2019 World Cup among 32 other European nationals that are part of this grand event. Kosovo in an impressive atmosphere at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Pristina has defeated Estonia in a thriller with 75:69 results.
- From 20th to 24th August in Pristina was held, the National Youth Camp U-15. Present were 60 children, of them boys and girls born in 2002 and younger. The camp was organized by BFK in support of FIBA and MCYS. This camp is organized within the framework of the New Generation Development project, which is supported by FIBA. The National Camp was led by US coach Chris Dial, and he was assisted by 12 local coaches. It should be noted that from this camp were selected 30 basketball players and 6 coaches who then traveled to Bulgaria's Botevgrad to take part in the International Camp that was organized in this country from 28th August to 2nd of September 2017.
- On August 23rd in Prishtina, organized by the Basketball Federation of Kosovo and in cooperation with the US Embassy in Prishtina and with FIBA, Youth Camp (up to the age of 15) was organized in the competition of men and of women. In this camp participated 60 children from all cities of Kosovo, 12 Alumni (basketball players and basketball players and leaders of different ethnicities who are part of a US Embassy sports program in Pristina), 12 local trainers and Coach Chris Dial. The camp aimed at massaging this sport among new generations, but also socializing of children, coaches and all those who were part of this event. Similar camps were also held in Gracanica, Kaçanik, Peja and Podujeva.
- On August 24th, Kosovo's representative was taught the group where it will play in European qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup. Kosovo in the draw that took place in Munich, Germany was drafted in Group C together with Lithuania, Poland and Hungary. This stage of the competition will be played in 6 windows, which began in November 2017 and will end in February 2019.
- On September 9th and 10th, a seminar was held for basketball coaches within the Training and Licensing Program for Trainers. This seminar was valid for Pro A and B licenses, as well as for E license, in this seminar lecturer were FIBA instructor Matthias Zollner, Anton Krump and Albert Sylejmani.
- A joint seminar for trainers and judges was organized on 16th and 17th of September in Prishtina. Lecturer at this seminar was Professor Ridvan Ekmekçi, Turkey's Social Science Expert on "Mental Training and Motivation in Basketball".
- On September 21st in Kosovo has stayed Lubomir Kotleba, adviser to the Secretary General of FIBA. The purpose of Kotleba's visit was to inspect the small gym of the Palace of Youth and Sports in Pristina. This visit was announced by FIBA a month ago. The Gym at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Pristina did not have more than 2,000 seats altogether, while the capacity required by FIBA is 3,000 seats. Meanwhile, on the occasion of the inspection, Kotleba had made it clear that the capacity of the seats in the gym should be increased and so did after the investment of MCYS, where now the gym counts about 2,800 seats, which is also accepted by FIBA.
- On September 29th, the Chairman of Kosovo Streetball Association, member of KBF and FIBA 3x3 Basketball, Agon Fehmiu participated in the First Special Conference for 3x3 organized by FIBA Europe and the Serbian Basketball Federation. This event was attended by 50 delegations of FIBA Europe's National Federations. After the International Olympic Committee's decision that 3x3 basketball accepts as the new Olympic discipline that will debut from LOV Tokyo 2020, summing it up in the well-known "3x3 from the road to the Olympic Games" FIBA has added activities of its long-term strategic planning for the development and structuring of the most efficient organizing the competitions at all levels, from smaller tournaments to World Championships and Olympics in all categories.
Between September 24th and October 31st, the Acting Secretary General of the BFK, Elvira Dushku, stayed in the United States of America (USA) under the Global Sports Mentoring Program. Dushku has represented KBF and whole Kosovo in this program, among 15 countries from around the world: Brazil, Palestine, Nigeria, Kosovo, France, India, Peru, Taiwan, Belgium, Venezuela, Uganda, Bolivia, South Korea and Morocco. This is the sixth year of the Global Sports Mentoring Program, while for Kosovo this was the first time that it participated in this program.
- From 3rd to the 5th of November, Kosovo U-15 has participated in an international tour in Sofia, Bulgaria. This tour was organized by Bulgaria's Basketball Federation within the FIBA Europe's New Generation Development project, led by Turkish Basketball Federation, and implemented by Bulgaria, Romania, Kosovo and Macedonia.
- On November 24th, Kosovo Basketball Representative has suffered a loss from Lithuania in the game played in the presence of around 2500 spectators at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Pristina within the Group C of the First World Cup Qualification European Cup " China 2019 ". The meeting ended with the figures 99:61.
- On November 26th, Kosovo basketball players lost with result 84:76 in Hungary to the defending match in Debrecen in the second round of 2019 China World Cup qualifier. The next match in the framework of European World Cup qualifiers "China 2019" Kosovo will play on 23rd and 26th of February 2018 against Poland and respectively against Lithuania as a guest.
- On December 4th, the Basketball Federation of Kosovo has won the right to organize the European Championship U18, Division C (Men). The championship will be held from 22nd to 29th July 2018. This decision was taken by the FIBA Europe Board at a meeting held in Munich. For BFK, but also for Kosovo itself and Kosovo's sport in general, this is a great achievement. FIBA is now expected to send an inspection visit to its officials early next year to hold meetings with BFK officials about preparations for the organization of the Championship.
- After finishing the games of the First Window of the European Qualifiers for the World Cup China 2019 on December 5th, FIBA World has published the ranking in which Kosovo is ranked 86th. It should be noted that in the ranking published a month ago Kosovo was 96th and despite two defeats suffered within the Group C of the First Window, against Lithuania and Hungary, our Representative managed to advance for 10 positions.
- From 17th to 22nd December, Basketball Federation of Kosovo (BFK) in cooperation with the Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOC) and the Basketball Training Association of Kosovo (SHKBK) has organized the Second Level Trainers Training Course. The six-day technical course was supported by the Olympic Solidarity, the largest foundation in the framework of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), for sport development in various parts of the world. Lecturer in the Technical Course for Trainers was FIBA instructor, Anton Krump from Slovenia, while 20 Kosovar trainers participated.
- On December 18th, Kosovo Basketball Representative won the "Heart of Kosovo" award that is shared by the Kosovo Manufacturers Club (KPC). This award on behalf of BFK was accepted by President Erolld Belegu on Monday evening at a "Made in Kosova" Gala Evening organized at the Emerald Hotel in Pristina by KPC in cooperation with USAID and other partners. Kosovo's representative has been awarded this award after the historic success, when in the summer of this year has managed to secure a place among the 32 nationals for qualifications for China World Cup 2019.
- From 17th to 22nd December, organized by the Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOK) and in cooperation with the Basketball Federation of Kosovo (FBK), the Kosovo Basketball Training Association (SHTBK) has organized the Technical Course for Basketball Coaches. The course was held at "ISP" College in "Marigona Residence" neighborhood in Prishtina. Trainers who participated in the First Level Course organized in February 2016 were those who were mainly participants of the Second Level Course. Lecturer at Technical-Second Level Course was FIBA instructor Anton Krump, while 20 trainers who have intensively attended this course have been certified. This event is organized in support of the Olympic Solidarity, the largest Foundation in the framework of the International Olympic Committee for Sports Development in different countries around the world.
- From 22 to 24 December organized by the Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOK) in cooperation with the Basketball Federation of Kosovo (FBK) organized a Basic Course for Sport / Basketball Administrators at Hotel "Sirius" in Prishtina.The three-day course was supported by the Olympic Solidarity, the largest foundation in the framework of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), for sport development in different parts of the world.In the three-day course were invited and selected by KBF to participate, members of the Board of BFK, officials of the Superliga Clubs, Women's League, First League and Second League. There were also staff members of BFK’s office, as well as some trainers and women referees.Course lecturers were: Besim Hasani, program director for SO-KON, Ibër Alaj, MEMOS 19, SO-KON / program director, Elda Gjoka, national course director, IOC-OS, while invited were also Shqipe Bajçinca Brestovci, Dr. of Physics Culture and Sport Sciences, as well as Fitim Arifi, Manager at the Department of Sports at MCYS.The course was very welcome to all participants, and only those who were in the three days of the Course were certified, while others who have missed one day (with reason) will be given another chance at the beginning of the course next year to be certified.