The President of the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF), Armand Duka, gave an interview in which he discussed the progress of Albanian football, the investments of FSHF in improving sports infrastructure, and the performance of the National Team in EURO 2024 and the Nations League.
Below is the full interview:
– Albanian football will “pause” for three weeks. How would you describe the journey across all categories?
– These three weeks of pause give us time to reflect on everything we’ve been through during the year we’re closing. Albanian football has had achievements and challenges, from the successes of the National Team with qualification for EURO 2024 to the strong rivalry in the “Abissnet Superiore” and First Division leagues. It has been a year that has challenged us, but it has also shown a steadily increasing level of professionalism and commitment.
There is certainly a lot of work to do, but I must say there has been progress in all directions, not just in the level of competition but also in infrastructure and the popularization of football, bringing more boys and girls to this magical sport.
– What have been, in your opinion, the phenomena in the competition that have influenced the progress of Albanian football?
– The progress has been influenced by several key factors. The rivalry among teams has grown, and this is a positive development. On the other hand, we have challenged ourselves with better organization and have invested in infrastructure.
However, there is still work to be done to improve the fan experience and help teams increase their performance. Despite the efforts of the entire football community to advance the development of our game, we also have to consider the social context of our country and the challenges Albanians face, which are reflected to some extent in football as well.
– In the Abissnet Superiore, 2024 ended with Dinamo at the top, and in the First Division, with Vora. Is this a capital city dominance?
– Undoubtedly, the leadership of the two major leagues by Dinamo and Vora shows an increase in the teams of the capital, and in fact, it is an example that clearly shows that when there is a project, strategy, and vision, the results follow. This is a reflection of the investments and good organization of these clubs.
However, I must emphasize that Albanian football has not only progressed through the capital’s clubs. We also have teams from other cities that have grown significantly, and if we look at the provisional standings of these leagues, it is clear that there is rivalry and great potential from all teams.
– Referring to the standings of the Superiore after 19 rounds, what are its bright and dark sides?
– The positive aspect is certainly the high level of rivalry and the exciting matches that almost all the teams have provided this season. If I were to highlight the issues, perhaps they are mainly related to the inconsistency of some teams and the challenges related to infrastructure, which we are constantly working on improving in collaboration with all stakeholders. However, I think we are on the right path to address these issues.
– In the First Division, there are three protagonists in the standings. Is a “Final 3” coming in this category?
– This category has turned into a very attractive competition, and the fact that we have three protagonists at the top is a strong signal that the level is rising in this league as well. A “Final 3” could be a fantastic scenario to give this league more value and excitement until the final matches of the season. Nevertheless, there are still many other teams in the First Division that could compete for the top spot until the end, keeping the competition alive.
– During 2024, Albanian fans have been “missing without reason.” Do you see it this way?
– I touched upon this topic earlier, and perhaps other social factors are influencing this, which are not directly related to the level of football. I am convinced that with the rise in competition, fans will gradually return to the stadiums. Perhaps there also needs to be more work done by the clubs in this regard to improve the atmosphere and relationships with the fans. The matches and rivalries this season are of a very good level, and it is truly a shame that there aren’t more fans in the stadiums to support their teams.
– Are the fields and stadiums a factor in this calendar year you are closing?
– Yes, infrastructure is a key factor. We have made progress with several important projects, but there is still much to be done as it is an ongoing process that requires constant commitment. It is not enough to simply build a new field or stadium; a lot of work must go into the ongoing maintenance to have the right infrastructure.
– Specifically, how many football fields have been built by FSHF during the year we’re closing (2024)?
– We have built 17 football fields, completed 2 stadium reconstructions, and 5 projects for improving sports infrastructure.
FSHF has assisted and continues to support clubs with fields and stadiums, both through investments and the ongoing “100 Fields” project, as well as in terms of maintenance through our expertise.
Modern stadiums and quality pitches are essential for the development of football.
– Considering it’s the start of the winter transfer market, what would you suggest for the teams overall?
– In the winter transfer market, revolutions cannot be made, only small interventions. My suggestion would be for teams to focus on strategic reinforcements and not just on numbers. They need players who fit the philosophy of the team and can make a difference.
At the same time, teams should have more trust in the youth coming from the academies and give them the opportunity to show their value.
– How would you describe the role and contribution of FSHF during the calendar year of 2024?
– FSHF has played a major role in the development of football by investing in infrastructure, education, and promotion of the sport. We have done a lot in training coaches through our formative courses, developing children’s football, youth national teams, women’s football, and social responsibility. We have hosted and successfully organized 13 international youth tournaments in Albania, where 30 European national teams have been accommodated, trained, and played matches in our country.
– What are FSHF’s preparations for hosting the UEFA U-17 European Championship finals?
– Meanwhile, we are preparing to host the UEFA U-17 European Championship finals in 2025. This will be the first international tournament at this level held in Albania, and I am confident it will be a success story. Additionally, it is worth mentioning the organization of several important meetings and gatherings of UEFA in Tirana, organized by FSHF, while next September we will host the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Albania for the first time.
– In figures, what are the other achievements of FSHF during the year we are closing?
– Another major achievement was the launch of the Elite Youth Academy project in collaboration with UEFA, which aims to develop new talents, building the foundation for a bright future for Albanian football.
Throughout this year, the Federation has organized 154 national and regional championships with the participation of 353 clubs, associations, and schools. We have organized a total of 14,670 football matches with 23,171 registered players, which is 2,820 more than in 2023.
– The National Team went through two stages during the year 2024, from the EURO 2024 finals to elimination in the Nations League. What is your assessment?
– The EURO 2024 finals were a historic achievement, with the National Team qualifying for the second time in history for the biggest tournament in Europe. A dignified performance against three of the biggest teams on the continent, while the fans also had a fantastic performance in the stands, creating unforgettable emotions. It was an extraordinary experience for all, and I believe we enjoyed it a lot.
– In the Nations League, did we fail or were we unlucky not to qualify?
Not a failure! However, the Nations League showed us that we still have work to do. In fact, the National Team performed well, finishing the group with 7 points and being in contention for second place until the last seconds. For a goal, which we could have scored in the second half of the final match against Ukraine, but unfortunately it didn’t come, we ended up last in a group where the competition was very high.
We have nothing else but to learn from our mistakes and continue on the path of progress.
– What is your wish for Albanian football at the close of the 2024 calendar year?
– I wish that the upcoming year brings even more successes, progress, and joy for all those who love Albanian football. Together, we can achieve more. Happy New Year!
CREATED by:
“KORÇA BOOM”
