Thierry Favre praises FFK’s progress: The message the current leadership is sending is very good

In an exclusive interview with FFK Podcast, Thierry Favre, director of the HatTrick programme and director of national association development at UEFA, spoke about his experience with the Football Federation of Kosovo and the changes he has seen in Kosovo over the last 10 years.

“I see a big difference. I think this is the beauty of my work. It is also the beauty of becoming a UEFA member, because you gain access to many development programmes. I am directly responsible for the funding programmes, through which we have helped with the ‘Fadil Vokrri’ Stadium, the FFK headquarters where we are today, the National Camp in Hajvali, the camp in Obiliq, and synthetic turf pitches throughout the country. So, that is the beauty of it. Then you also have access to other programmes, such as the academy for staff. So many wonderful things. I want to say that I feel blessed to be able to accompany Kosovo on its journey and to be responsible for this important part that UEFA offers its members,” Favre said.

He acknowledged that the impact of UEFA programmes is not the same for large federations such as Germany’s and smaller ones such as Kosovo’s. “I have already learned to use more diplomatic language. I won’t call you poor, to be a little more diplomatic. You are a developing federation; you need development. I have witnessed your development and feel blessed that I had the opportunity to be there 11 years ago to make the last official visit together with the FIFA delegation and members of the FIFA and UEFA leadership, before admission in Budapest in May 2016, to see what could be done. And now there is no way anyone could fail to see these offices, and then see the National Camp in Hajvali, etc.,” Favre said.

Favre also mentioned the impact of the vision of the current FFK leadership on improving the situation for Kosovo’s footballers: “I think the message your federation’s current leadership is sending is very good, because you have brought some players to Germany and many of them now prefer to play for Kosovo. This is a very strong message. In 2018, conditions were not good, but now, with UEFA’s help, as well as good decisions and a clear vision, players are keen to come and play for Kosovo, because you have good results, good performances and good conditions. When the camp in Hajvali is also completed, it will be fantastic for the players to gather and train there,” Favre added.