Nigeria, Kosovo Seal Sports Partnership, Plan International Friendly Match
Oru Leonard
Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Kosovo have begun a bilateral sports partnership aimed at deepening cooperation in sports development, talent exchange and sports diplomacy, with both countries also proposing an international friendly football match.
The agreement was reached in Abuja when Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Glauk Konjufca, paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade.
Konjufca described Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading economies with vast human, natural and sporting resources, saying a stronger diplomatic and sporting relationship would deliver mutual benefits for both nations.
He said the Kosovo government was impressed by the warm reception it received in Nigeria and expressed optimism that the visit would mark the beginning of a long-term partnership between the two countries.
According to him, discussions with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, reinforced Kosovo’s interest in expanding cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in football, judo and other sports.
Konjufca proposed an international friendly football match between the senior national teams of both countries and offered to support capacity building in judo, highlighting Kosovo’s success in producing world and Olympic champions in the sport.
Responding, Olopade welcomed the initiative, describing the partnership as a significant step towards strengthening sports diplomacy and creating opportunities for athletes and sports administrators from both countries.
He said the collaboration aligns with the National Sports Commission’s drive to build a sustainable sports economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerian Sports Economy (RHINSE), adding that the partnership would contribute to the commission’s vision of making sports a catalyst for economic growth and international cooperation.
Olopade reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with Kosovo on programmes that would deliver mutual benefits and further strengthen bilateral ties through sports.
