The 82nd Cycling Tour of Albania/Manastirliu starts: Promotion of Albania in the international arena

2025-05-26 15:03:00, Politikë CNA

The 82nd Cycling Tour of Albania/Manastirliu starts: Promotion of Albania in the

The 82nd edition of the Cycling Tour of Albania, one of the most important cycling sports activities in the country, officially opened today at Skanderbeg Square. Present at the opening ceremony was the Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu, who praised this activity as an important part of the efforts to develop sports and promote Albania in the international arena.

"The Cycling Tour is taking place in Albania and has coincided immediately after a major event, the Giro d'Italia, where Albania was put on the international map of prestigious sporting events for the first time, with the grand start held in our country. This prestigious activity was excellently organized thanks to the inter-institutional cooperation between the Cycling Federation, the municipalities of Tirana, Vlora, Durrës, the State Police and other institutions", said Minister Manastirliu.

Organized by the Albanian Cycling Federation, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Sports, this activity is attended by Albanian teams and foreign teams from the Balkans, Europe, etc.

"This edition is attended by 98 cyclists from 14 international teams, who will compete in 5 municipalities of the country until May 30. I want to thank you for your commitment to this next cycling tour. It is a competition that includes not only athletes from our country, but also from different countries of the world," said Manastirliu.

Minister Manastirliu emphasized that support for sports is ever-increasing and part of a long-term strategy.

"Support for sports, for sports infrastructure, for all ages and elite athletes is growing. The focus of our work is increasing financial support and developing a sports strategy, which aims to include sports at all ages, as well as supporting our federations," said the Minister.

Mentioning the School Sports Teams program that involves children and youth in sports activities in schools, Manastirliu also focused on the inclusion of cycling:

"We are working hard together with the Albanian Olympic Committee and all federations to continue and expand activities in schools, as well as sports teams in schools, where we already have more than 12 thousand children engaged in the main disciplines: basketball, volleyball. Starting next year, we will have an expansion of disciplines and of course cycling is also in the focus of all the investments we are making," said Manastirliu.

At the end of her speech, Manastirliu emphasized the importance of activities of this level for the promotion of Albania and the values ??of sport:

"It is very important that national and international activities include as many municipalities as possible. Sport unites, promotes common values ??and tourism. I am convinced that this cycling tour will also be promoted worthily thanks to the international cyclists who participate," added the Minister.

The 82nd edition of the Cycling World of Albania also coincided with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Albanian Cycling Federation. /CNA