The Olympic Committee of Kosovo has hosted its first Leading Sports Women Forum ©OCK

The Olympic Committee of Kosovo (OCK) has hosted its first Leading Sports Women Forum at Sirius Hotel in Prishtina.

The event was held as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, on March 8.

It was attended by Kosovo's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Vlora Dumoshi, as well as dozens of leading sportswomen from National Federations in Kosovo, the OCK Executive Board, coaches and athletes.

OCK President Besim Hasani and secretary general Shasivar Haxhijaj spoke about gender equality, which is said to remain one of the national governing body's top priorities.

"Every year, such a forum will be organised in honour of this day, and I believe that the forum will take on an international character," Hasani said.

"Sport remains a powerful platform and I believe we will be a good example of gender equality. 

"The NOC (National Olympic Committee)-Kosovo statute provides that we shall have at least seven women on the Executive Board, for a ratio of 10 men to seven women. 

"If you are engaged, chances are for nine/eight ratio."

Kosovo's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Vlora Dumoshi, was among those in attendance at the event ©OCK
Kosovo's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Vlora Dumoshi, was among those in attendance at the event ©OCK

Dumoshi expressed the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport's support for the inclusion of girls in sports, and spoke about sports infrastructure as being one of the Ministry's priorities.

"Girls in Kosovo have an important role to play in sports," she said.

"As a minister, I will only be successful thanks to our upcoming close cooperation and the support of the clubs, because there have been some differences between men’s and women’s clubs. 

"We will bring Kosovo in the forefront of sports and youth.

"This is an Olympic year and Kosovo will be represented by many women at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics."

The Leading Sports Women Forum included a debate on the orientation and strategy of equitable inclusion of girls in sport and in sports leadership.

During the discussions, it is claimed the women highly praised the forum, talked about the challenges, ideas and forms of cooperation, how to strengthen the role of women in sports, and also how to increase girls' participation in sports.

Female judoka Majlinda Kelmendi became the first Kosovar athlete to win a medal at the Olympic Games when she claimed gold in the women's under-52 kilograms category at Rio 2016.