The recent news that has been making headlines lately of the Kosovar boxers being barred from entering Serbia to attend the International Boxing Championship, has prompted the reaction of the German ambassador to Kosovo, Jörn Rohde.
Through a post on Twitter, Rohde said that the normalization of rapports and the lasting reconciliation between both nations begins with these very exchanges in intellectual, cultural, athletic and artistic engagements.
“Politicizing sports is never a good idea. Preventing Kosovo’s boxers from participating in the AIBA Boxing championships goes in the opposite direction. This is sadly an example of closed not open Balkans,” – wrote Rohde.
Serbian president, Alexandar Vucic has reacted to the ambassador’s statement immediately after, claiming that “he doesn’t remember the ambassador reacting when entry was denied to Serbian athletes and sports clubs”.
In addition, Vucic also argued that the Kosovar boxers “hadn’t been notified of their participation in the International Boxing Championship, being held in Belgrade”.
On the other hand, Kosovo has warned about possible retaliating measures against such “discriminatory acts”, that according to PM Kurti, should be condemned by the entire international community.
The annual International Boxing Championship will be held in Belgrade from October 24 – November 6. Kosovo was going to be represented by 3 boxers: Bashkim Bajoku, Shpëtim Bajoku and Patriot Behrami.
The Boxing Federation of Kosovo became a member of the International Boxing Federation back in 2014.
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