UNMIK/PR/1231
PRISTINA – Internationals squared off against locals in a friendly basketball game to celebrate International Peace Day.
While the team led by UNMIK and KFOR came out on top with 50 points against the PISG’s 47, everyone was declared a winner as six white doves were released after the match as a symbol of peace.
Many spectators cheered for both teams, which were generously supported by local professional players on the court at Pristina’s Youth Centre.
Among the VIP players for peace were Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, Culture Youth and Sports Minister Behxhet Brajshori, Democratic Party of Kosovo Chairman Hashim Thaçi, KFOR Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Michael Flowers, Pillar IV head Nikolaus Lambsdorff and Director of UNMIK’s Department of Justice, Thomas Monaghan.
Hua Jiang, Director of the UNMIK’s Division of Public Information, scored the first basket. Ferid Zekolli, Special Coordinator for Integration In and Through Sports, topped the scoring list, with 17 points for the PISG team.
Great contributions were made by women on the court, including Teuta Abdullahu of the university’s women’s team with 8 points scored for the internationals, and Kianna Castro from U.S. KFOR with 4 points on the board.
PDSRSG Charles Brayshaw formally opened the game and welcomed everyone present to celebrate the spirit of the International Day of Peace.
Speaking before the game, PM Rexhepi told the participants and spectators, “We need more of these kinds of activities to help us overcome the bad memories of this region’s history.”
The prime minister also gave out awards to Shqipërije Morina and Ngadhnjim Gjoshi, winner and runner up in an essay competition on ‘Peace in the World’, sponsored by the Kosovo Government.
The referees for the game were Fisnik Ramadani, Alban Vula and Daut Mehmeti, assisted by basketball official Remzi Ramadani.