Membership of Kosovo in international sports federations
Encyclopedia
The following sports federations have either admitted or have received the application from Republic of Kosovo
to be admitted into their membership. Kosovo was a part of several federations in the 1990s, but has applied to become a member of many more after its 17 February 2008 unilateral declaration of independence
from Serbia
. Serbia
does not recognise the secession of Kosovo and considers it a United Nations
-governed entity within its sovereign territory.
(IOC) does not recognize the Olympic Committee of Kosovo, created in 1992. Although the president of the IOC's international relations commission announced on 17 February 2008 that the IOC was set to recognise Kosovo, on the following day an IOC spokesperson specified the requirements that Kosovo needs to meet before IOC recognition, most notably its recognition as an independent state by the United Nations
.
In October 2008, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rejected the Football Federation of Kosovo
(FFK) application for affiliation, as it was deemed not to comply with article 10 of the FIFA statutes, which stipulates that only "an independent state recognised by the international community" may be admitted. As a result, Kosovo cannot play any friendly FIFA matches, and many Kosovan soccer players play for other national teams, notably Albania
's. In November 2009, FIFA organised a meeting between Kosovo officials, Serbian football associations and FIFA vice-president Geoff Thompson
, where practical issues were reportedly discused, including the address to which letters about Kosovo football player transfers should be sent. In March 2011, FIFA President Sepp Blatter
said Kosovo could not join the football family before it was recognised by the United Nations.
On 13 November 2008, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) President Michel Platini
said that Kosovo must become a UN member before being allowed into the UEFA or FIFA.
On 26 April 2008, the International Basketball Federation
(FIBA) declined to admit the Basketball Federation of Kosova
as a member because "Kosovo has not fulfilled all necessary conditions". FIBA and FIBA Europe sports directors Ľubomír Kotleba and Kosta Iliev subsequently visited Kosovo in order to prepare a report for the FIBA Central Board. Kotleba said that "FBK does not need to do anything more to get accepted. If you ask me if Kosovo should be admitted by FIBA, then I say yes. But I don't know when this will happen. The decision for the admission of Kosovo will be taken somewhere else". FBK subsequently reapplied for FIBA membership; its application to be reviewed at the FIBA Central Board meeting on 6–7 December 2008. At the meeting, it was decided that there were no grounds for FIBA to change its decision.
On 30 May 2008, during the 46th International Ski Congress meeting in Cape Town
, the International Ski Federation
(FIS) decided Kosovo’s affiliation was dependent on its recognition by the UN and that "[in] the meantime, participation of their skiers is permitted at FIS level and children’s races."
On 24 February 2010, the European Tennis Association rejected a membership application by the Tennis Federation of Kosovo
.
Republic of Kosovo
Kosovo , officially the Republic of Kosovo is a partially recognised state and a disputed territory in the Balkans...
to be admitted into their membership. Kosovo was a part of several federations in the 1990s, but has applied to become a member of many more after its 17 February 2008 unilateral declaration of independence
2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence was adopted on 17 February 2008 by individual members of the Assembly of Kosovo acting in personal capacity and not binding to the Assembly itself...
from Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
does not recognise the secession of Kosovo and considers it a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
-governed entity within its sovereign territory.
| Entity | Notes | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles The International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles, also known in French as Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées , is an international wrestling federation that holds events around the world. It is the governing body of international amateur wrestling... (FILA) |
FILA admitted Kosovo as an "associated federation". | Associate | 9 June 2008 |
| International Handball Federation International Handball Federation The International Handball Federation, often referred to by the acronym IHF, is the administrative and controlling body for International team handball.- Championships :*World Men's Handball Championship*World Women's Handball Championship... (IHF) |
Kosovo became an "associated federation" of the European Handball Federation European Handball Federation The European Handball Federation is the umbrella organisation for European handball. Founded in November 1991, it is made of 50 member federations and one associated member , and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria... in 2004, prior to DOI Declaration of independence A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state... . |
Associate | 2004 |
| International Ski Federation International Ski Federation The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports... (FIS) |
Kosovo has had observer status in the ISF since 2004, prior to DOI. | Observer | 2004 |
| International Softball Federation International Softball Federation thumb|Map of member states.|400px|rightThe International Softball Federation is the international governing body for the sport of softball. The ISF is a non-profit corporation recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the General Association of International Sports Federations .The... (ISF) |
ISF admitted Kosovo as a full member. | Member | 12 August 2008 |
| International Table Tennis Federation International Table Tennis Federation The International Table Tennis Federation is the governing body for all national table tennis associations.-Founding history:The ITTF was founded in 1926, the nine founding members being Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, India, Sweden and Wales... (ITTF) |
Kosovo became a full member in 2003, prior to DOI. | Member | 2003 |
| International Weightlifting Federation International Weightlifting Federation The International Weightlifting Federation , headquartered in Budapest, is the international governing body for the sport of Olympic weightlifting.The IWF was founded in 1905, and has 187 member nations. The IWF president is Dr... (IWF) |
IWF admitted Kosovo as a full member. | Member | 18 June 2008 |
| European Boxing League (EuroLeague) | EuroLeague admitted the Kosovo Boxing Federation as a full member. | Member | March 2009 |
Rejected membership applications
The International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
(IOC) does not recognize the Olympic Committee of Kosovo, created in 1992. Although the president of the IOC's international relations commission announced on 17 February 2008 that the IOC was set to recognise Kosovo, on the following day an IOC spokesperson specified the requirements that Kosovo needs to meet before IOC recognition, most notably its recognition as an independent state by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
In October 2008, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rejected the Football Federation of Kosovo
Football Federation of Kosovo
The Football Federation of Kosovo is the governing body of football in Kosovo, with headquarters in Pristina. The Football Federation of Kosovo was established in 1946 and is currently headed by Fadil Vokrri...
(FFK) application for affiliation, as it was deemed not to comply with article 10 of the FIFA statutes, which stipulates that only "an independent state recognised by the international community" may be admitted. As a result, Kosovo cannot play any friendly FIFA matches, and many Kosovan soccer players play for other national teams, notably Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
's. In November 2009, FIFA organised a meeting between Kosovo officials, Serbian football associations and FIFA vice-president Geoff Thompson
Geoff Thompson (football)
Geoffrey "Geoff" Thompson OBE is the former chairman of the Football Association, and a vice-president of both UEFA and FIFA. He has long been associated with football especially in South Yorkshire, having previously been general manager of Doncaster Rovers and held senior positions in the...
, where practical issues were reportedly discused, including the address to which letters about Kosovo football player transfers should be sent. In March 2011, FIFA President Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
said Kosovo could not join the football family before it was recognised by the United Nations.
On 13 November 2008, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) President Michel Platini
Michel Platini
Michel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
said that Kosovo must become a UN member before being allowed into the UEFA or FIFA.
On 26 April 2008, the International Basketball Federation
International Basketball Federation
The International Basketball Federation, more commonly known as FIBA , from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball...
(FIBA) declined to admit the Basketball Federation of Kosova
Basketball Federation of Kosova
The Basketball Federation of Kosova is the governing body of basketball in Kosovo....
as a member because "Kosovo has not fulfilled all necessary conditions". FIBA and FIBA Europe sports directors Ľubomír Kotleba and Kosta Iliev subsequently visited Kosovo in order to prepare a report for the FIBA Central Board. Kotleba said that "FBK does not need to do anything more to get accepted. If you ask me if Kosovo should be admitted by FIBA, then I say yes. But I don't know when this will happen. The decision for the admission of Kosovo will be taken somewhere else". FBK subsequently reapplied for FIBA membership; its application to be reviewed at the FIBA Central Board meeting on 6–7 December 2008. At the meeting, it was decided that there were no grounds for FIBA to change its decision.
On 30 May 2008, during the 46th International Ski Congress meeting in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, the International Ski Federation
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
(FIS) decided Kosovo’s affiliation was dependent on its recognition by the UN and that "[in] the meantime, participation of their skiers is permitted at FIS level and children’s races."
On 24 February 2010, the European Tennis Association rejected a membership application by the Tennis Federation of Kosovo
Tennis Federation of Kosovo
The Tennis Federation of Kosovo is a governing body of tennis in Kosovo. It was established in 1996 in Peć. The Federation currently oversees nine tennis clubs....
.