IWF President supports the creation of the Balkan Weightlifting Federation in Albania

The IWF President Mohammed Jalood was this week in Golem, Albania, for the founding Congress of the Balkan Weightlifting Federation. This regional organisation assembles 11 National Federations – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Türkiye – and aims at creating opportunities and competitions for the weightlifting community in this area of Europe.

IWF President Mohammed Jalood and delegates at the founding Congress of the Balkan Weightlifting Federation 

At the Congress in Golem was also elected the first Executive Board of the organisation, led by Elez Gjoza, President of the Albanian Weightlifting Federation. The other members of the EB are: Nedim Masic (BIH, General Secretary), Talan Unlu (TUR, Vice-President), Irena Mitrovska (MKD, member), Damjan Canzek (SLO, member), and Amar Music (CRO, member).

Besides the presence of the IWF President, the leadership of the European Weightlifting Federation was also represented by its President Antonio Conflitti. Locally, the Balkan Weightlifting Federation received the support of the President of the Albanian Olympic Committee, Fidel Ylli.

The first Executive Board of the Balkan Weightlifting Federation

Elez Gjoza, the President of the new organisation, was naturally satisfied with the outcome of the Congress: “Thank you very much for your trust. I am very happy that, in the end, we were able to organise ourselves and lay the first brick on this ‘construction’. It will be a nice project of development and mutual help.”

The headquarters of the Balkan Weightlifting Federation will be located in Tirana, the capital of Albania.

Reception in Cerrik – from left to right: Elez Gjoza (Balkan WL and ALB WL Federation President), Andis Salla (Mayor of Cerrik), Mohammed Jalood (IWF President) and Antonio Conflitti (EWF President)

After this important milestone, Mr Jalood and the remaining dignitaries visited the village of Cerrik, renowned for its Shtermeni Weightlifting Team, a structure that produced many Albanian champions and brought to the country 93 medals in international competitions. The delegation was welcomed by the mayor of the town Andis Salla, a former weightlifter.

IWF President speaking to the local media in Cerrik

Impressed by the training facilities he visited, the IWF President expressed his conviction that lifters from Albania will continue shining at the highest level. “Albania has produced many big names in the sport of weightlifting, namely some European and world champions. I am sure the present generation of athletes will preserve this successful tradition,” Mr Jalood said.

Source (text and photos): www.ewf.sport