EOC Executive Committee (ExCom) Ex-Officio Member Hasan Arat was awarded the “Kosovo Honour Decoration” from Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani during a ceremony in Pristina on 12 January.
The award recognises Mr Arat’s contributions to international sport and his support for Kosovo’s successful bid to host the Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games, and is among Kosovo’s highest honours.
Mr Arat serves as an Ex-Officio member of the EOC ExCom and is a member of the EOC Coordination Commission (CoCom) for the Istanbul 2027 European Games. He was Chair of the CoCom for the 2023 European Games in Kraków-Małopolska and is also a member of the World Athletics Executive Board.
At the ceremony, Mr Arat emphasised that the honour represents the unifying power of sport, international solidarity and the deep connections between countries.
Mr Arat said: “I am proud to have received this honour from President Osmani, who has been a great supporter of sport in Kosovo. Sport has a unique power to bring communities together and contribute to a healthier world.
“I am sure the 2030 Mediterranean Games in Pristina will showcase Kosovo’s tremendous success in developing sport, and before then we look forward to welcoming a strong team from Kosovo to the 2027 European Games in Istanbul.”
President Osmani highlighted Mr Arat’s role in promoting Kosovo on the international sporting stage and strengthening the country’s candidacy for the 2030 Mediterranean Games, noting the event’s lasting impact for the nation and its youth, as well as its contribution to Olympic Values including fair play, discipline, equality and peace.
The ceremony at the Presidency of the Republic of Kosovo was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Kosovo and officials from the Kosovo NOC led by President Ismet Krasniqi.
