Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Education and Sports, welcomed the Albanian Olympic Team, which will represent Albania at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This marked the first time that Albania has been awarded two Olympic medals. Minister Manastirliu announced that, in accordance with the decision of the Council of Ministers, the athletes who have brought medals to Albania will receive special rewards.
Minister Manastirliu expressed her gratitude for the historic success of our two wrestlers, Chermen Valiev and Islam Dudaev, who climbed the podium and won bronze medals at the Olympic Games “Paris 2024.” This is not only a personal achievement for these athletes, but also a victory for Albania as a whole.
“You made us so proud! You’ve raised our national flag high. It is a significant occasion that we have already won two Olympic bronze medals. For this, I sincerely thank you. Every win, no matter how personal, is ultimately a team victory. I would like to thank the entire national team that represented Albania at the Olympics, but especially you, our two medalists. We felt several emotions, and we were all with you, heart and mind.” Thank you, Chermen Valiev and Islam Dudaev, for your achievements and for raising the Albanian flag,” Minister Manastirliu stated.
Minister Manastirliu emphasized the necessity of continued funding for Albanian athletes and elite sports. She underlined the government’s plans and efforts to improve sports infrastructure and create better circumstances for athlete development. She says our athletes’ victories show their efforts are paying off. She also says Albanian sports will keep producing medals and winners.
“The Albanian government has pledged its support to athletes in a variety of ways, including providing assistance with their training and offering backing for the development of sporting facilities. The 2024 budget has enabled an increase in funding for eight federations, with the objective of enabling them to adequately prepare for the Olympic Games. Furthermore, the rewards system provides additional incentives for athletes who have achieved success at the national level. In recognition of their contributions to the country’s sporting achievements, the government has established a policy that grants dedicated rewards to national medalists and their coaches. The rewards system is one of the most competitive in the region for champion athletes who have brought medals to the country,” stated Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Education and Sports.
Athletes and coaches shared their experiences and emotions after representing Albania at the Olympic Games in Paris. The Minister applauded the Olympic Team for their outstanding representation of Albania and the remarkable emotions they showed. She promised them that the Albanian government’s support for sports would remain a priority, with the goal of creating world-class athletes.