KOSOVO-TRADITIONAL SPORTS Kosovo holds games to revive traditional sports

Record ID: 145158

  • Title: KOSOVO-TRADITIONAL SPORTS Kosovo holds games to revive traditional sports
  • Date: 3rd August 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) WRESTLING COMPETITION WINNER, BEKIM METAJ, SAYING: "The event was beautiful and the competition was strong. I hope for the event to continue in this tradition. I hope that there are good-hearted people who will always support this event in its tradition," CONTESTANT THROWING HAYSTACK POLE JUDGE MEASURING DISTANCE CONTESTANT THROWING HAYSTACK POLE AUD
  • Embargoed: 18th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kosovo
  • Country: Kosovo
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAAF8B5L72D70U3PKX2MS23WQGK
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Kosovo's western region of Rugova held its annual traditional outdoor games on Sunday (August 2) in an attempt to preserve the legacy of their ancestors and popularise folk sports among younger generations.
    Despite the scorching heat, thousands of spectators came from Albania, Montenegro and Macedonia to watch and take part in the event.
    One of the organisers and wrestling judge, Nazmi Iberdemaj, says that apart from saving traditions in Kosovo, the aim of the games was to strengthen the sense of identity among the Kosovo diaspora in Europe and the USA. The games were also modified to fit a younger audience and tempt them away from modern technology for a while.
    "These traditional games have been held since pagan times. After they scythed their meadows, people had time to relax and entertain themselves. Their games were a bit different from now and we don't practise them accurately as they did. Since 1992 we have been organising these games in a more modern way," Iberdemaj said.
    "Having in mind that today's youth is linked to computers and internet, today is the day to remind them that there is something more than internet," he added.
    The games were interactive, with all spectators able to take part if they wished.
    Amateur athletes competed in a range of disciplines, most of which are still practised in other parts of Kosovo, as well as pole-throwing, which is unique to Rugova highlanders.
    "The event was beautiful and the competition was strong. I hope for the event to continue in this tradition. I hope that there are good-hearted people who will always support this event in its tradition," said Bekim Metaj, wrestling champion of the event and best athlete of the Rugova traditional games 2015.
    Rugova is a region located in the western part of Kosovo and is considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with a network of newly built roads expected to bring in more tourists.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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