October 23 – The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) has undertaken a vital initiative to enhance safety on football pitches across the country through a project supported by the UEFA HatTrick program.
As part of this project, all clubs in the Super League, First League, and Second League, as well as women’s clubs, have been equipped with state-of-the-art defibrillators – life-saving equipment in the event of health emergencies.
Serious health incidents on the pitch over the last decade have highlighted the crucial importance of medical devices such as the defibrillator, which can save lives in cases of cardiac arrest.
In addition to distributing the equipment, the project included organised training sessions and awareness campaigns on the correct and prompt use of the defibrillators.
The training was led by the medical staff of the Kosovo A National Team, who shared experiences gained from UEFA training courses. The FFK announced that training in football health will continue to ensure that every team has trained personnel who can react immediately in emergencies.
The President of the FFK, Agim Ademi, valued the project not only as an investment in equipment but also as an “investment in life, in security, and in the future of Kosovan football,” noting that the sport in the country has faced losses of life on the pitch. He emphasised that the safety and health of the players are an absolute priority for the Football Federation of Kosovo.
The doctor of the Kosovo A National Team, Amir Vejseli, stated that the defibrillator is a vital and urgent piece of equipment that must be present at every football match, as it can be “life-saving for cases of cardiac arrests that may occur during matches and training sessions.”
The FFK remains committed to guaranteeing a safer environment for all stakeholders involved in the game, from young players to professionals, including coaches, technical staff, and match officials. T
his project is a significant step towards the further professionalisation of Kosovan football, aligning with European standards for healthcare in sport.
Contact the writer of this story, Alexander Krassimirov, at moc.l1761206473labto1761206473ofdlr1761206473owedi1761206473sni@o1761206473fni1761206473