The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) held its latest meeting this Friday at the “House of Football” in Tirana, where one of the most important decisions announced was the approval for the construction of a new football field in the Preševo Valley, Serbia.
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| The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation while making the decision to build a field in the Presheva Valley, October 31, 2025, Tirana |
A Symbolic and Strategic Investment
The Preševo Valley is home to a large Albanian population, and the new football field is expected to serve not just as a sports venue, but as a hub for community connection and youth development. FSHF emphasized that the project aims to create a safe and inclusive environment that fosters physical, emotional, and social growth among children and young people.
In addition to promoting sportsmanship, the facility will function as a community sports center where various activities can take place — including inter-municipal matches, youth tournaments, and cross-border events involving young players from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and the Albanian diaspora.
Building on Previous Initiatives
This initiative follows FSHF’s earlier involvement in supporting football in the region. In July of this year, the Federation financed and supported the organization of a youth football tournament in the Preševo Valley, gathering over 350 Albanian children aged 7–13 from both the local area and the diaspora. That event was seen as a major success, promoting unity, teamwork, and the values of fair play among young players.
Building a permanent football field now takes that vision a step further — transforming the enthusiasm of a temporary event into a sustainable, long-term development project. The infrastructure will give local youth the opportunity to train year-round in proper conditions, fostering potential future talents who could one day represent Albanian football at professional levels.
Strengthening Cultural and Sports Diplomacy
The move by FSHF also carries symbolic importance in terms of cultural and sports diplomacy. By investing in the Preševo Valley, the Federation is strengthening the ties between Albania and the Albanian community living in Serbia, using football as a unifying bridge. It also demonstrates how sport can play a positive role in regional cooperation and community development, transcending political borders and focusing instead on shared values and opportunities.
A Vision for the Future
FSHF President Armand Duka and the Executive Committee have repeatedly underlined the Federation’s mission to support football growth in every area where Albanians live. The Preševo Valley project perfectly aligns with this vision, highlighting the transformative power of sport in empowering youth, building communities, and promoting peace through fair competition.
Once completed, the new football field will stand as a symbol of hope, inclusion, and progress, offering generations of young athletes in the Preševo Valley a chance to dream bigger and play under better conditions — under the same sky that connects all Albanians through the love of football.