AFL organizes tour with embassies, Duka: Football is a strong message of friendship

2024-12-08 17:27:00, Sport CNA

AFL organizes tour with embassies, Duka: Football is a strong message of

The Albanian Football Federation organized a special football tournament with the embassies, within the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process. This activity, organized in the "House of Football" under the slogan "Friendship through Football", took place with the participation of six teams.

The President of the AFL, Armand Duka, the German Ambassador to Albania, Karl Bergner, the German Ambassador to Kosovo, Joern Rohde, as well as other representatives of the institutions participated in this special activity.

The President of the Football Federation, Armand Duka, in his welcoming speech, thanked all those present at this special activity, which conveys positive messages through football.

Also, President Duka thanked the German ambassadors for the fantastic hospitality of the Albanian national team and fans in Germany during Euro 2024, as well as reiterated that the doors of the Football Federation are always open for any type of cooperation that serves the education of children and the improvement of life in our country.

First of all I want to thank you all for being here. In particular, the German Ambassador in Albania, who is the initiator of this tour, and the German Ambassador in Kosovo. I want to thank all of you who are participants in this tournament, the representatives of all the teams.

I am indeed very pleased to be here with you today and to be given the opportunity to convey a message to all of you and to the entire society in general. My speech and the ambassadors need translation, but the game doesn't need translation. It's unique, it speaks for itself, and that's why it's the most beautiful game in the world.

I am very happy that we, all those who work in football, have the comfort to convey very important messages to society, because football is the most beautiful game in the world. Everyone loves it and everyone wants to play it, but at least they enjoy it and follow it. This enables us to convey messages easily, which is one of our objectives.

Today, in addition to the pleasure that the football players will experience on the field, the message that they will convey "friendship through football" is very important. Our objectives are to educate and build a better future for society through football. These are the main objectives, not just racing and winning. But, through victories, the message is conveyed better.

I take the opportunity, through the German ambassadors in the "House of Football", to thank all the Germans who welcomed the Albanian team and all the Albanian fans during "Euro 2024", which was a fantastic manifestation from the organizational point of view of UEFA, but also thanks the organizers of the German state and the participating teams. It was undoubtedly the best championship ever organized in all aspects. Major credit goes to Germany and the organizers there.

I want to reiterate that the doors of the Football Federation are always open for any kind of cooperation that serves the education for the future of our children and that contributes to the improvement of life in our country and around the globe.

In the end, since we are on the eve of the holidays, I wish all those who follow and play football and the whole society happy holidays! Let's have the best holidays and look forward to the most successful year, 2025. Undoubtedly, all teams will play to enjoy themselves, but one will win", concluded President Duka.

The activity was also welcomed by the German ambassadors. In his speech, the German Ambassador to Albania, Karl Bergner, appreciated the Albanian hospitality and emphasized that the Albanian national team and fans during "Euro 2024" in Germany have left a wonderful impression. He added that next year Albania will welcome a very important event, the U-17 European Championship.

"Thank you to everyone, ambassadors, teammates, participants, guests and fans. We are grateful to have you here. Thank you for the Albanian hospitality. December 2024 marks the end of a year packed with football events. You participated in Euro 2024, and I want to congratulate Albania for the team and the fans, who have left a wonderful impression in Germany. The team played a good game and in my opinion deserved to go further. The fans have left a very positive impression on Albania, they were warm and integrated well, without showing violence. They were good friends in Germany. Next year, Albania will welcome a very important event, the U-17 European Championship", said the German Ambassador to Albania, Karl Bergner.

The activity continued with the drawing of lots, where the teams were divided into two groups, A and B. In the end, the team of the German Embassy in Albania and the Diplomatic League qualified for the finals. The tournament was won by the team of the German Embassy in Albania.