The Albanian Sports Stars Gala 2024 was an extraordinary event that set a new benchmark for sporting celebrations this year. In a magical evening carefully organized by the Albanian National Olympic Committee, and with the participation of numerous sports personalities, federation leaders, coaches, athletes, and special guests, the athletes who achieved remarkable results for Albania throughout 2024 were honored.

The President of the Olympic Committee, Mr. Fidel Ylli, expressed his gratitude for the accomplishments of 2024 and assured all athletes and federations of the committee’s unwavering support. “I felt a great sense of responsibility after making the promise that we would return from Paris with medals. And this promise was fulfilled—not with just one, but with two Olympic medals in Paris. For the first-ever Olympic medals earned by Albanian athletes and for the achievements of Albanian sports, I feel incredibly proud of my country. Although this marks an important milestone, we have raised the bar to aim higher and go further. For Albanian sports, 2024 will truly be a year to remember,” said Mr. Ylli.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who offered a comprehensive assessment of the Olympic Committee’s accomplishments. “I was deeply moved by the extraordinary recognition expressed by President Thomas Bach for the Albanian Olympic Committee. Despite being a very small committee, it has distinguished itself through its enthusiasm, organization, and seriousness, starting with the mass participation project in schools and its excellent collaboration with the federations.”

Ismet Krasniqi, the President of the Kosovo Olympic Committee, also spoke at the gala. “Such ceremonies are essential for the development of sports, as they serve as platforms to promote and motivate our athletes by recognizing their achievements and encouraging them to aim for even greater success,” he said.

During the gala evening, titled Stars of Sports 2024, awards were presented to the wrestlers who earned Albania’s first Olympic medals: Ermen Valiev, Islam Dudaev, and Zelimkhan Abakarov, who achieved eighth place. In athletics, Luiza Gega, Franko Burraj, and David Nikolli were recognized. In weightlifting, Briken Calja, Erkand Qerimaj, and Kristi Ramadani received accolades, while Orges Arifin in cycling, Ernest Merdanaj in karate, and Alban Beqiri in boxing, as the Balkan champion, were also honored. Other notable awardees included Eklent Kaçi, the vice world champion in nine-ball billiards; Indrti Çullhaj and Erisa Brahimaj in judo; Marjan Hoxha and Xhesi Loci as champions in bodybuilding; and the talented Lara Colturi, who secured two second-place finishes in the World Cup for skiing.

As per tradition, students from school sports teams were also recognized, with awards given to boys’ and girls’ volleyball and basketball teams at both the 9-year-old and high school levels. For the first time, all the outfits of the Olympic Team Albania were displayed in the lobby of the Palace of Congresses, earning the admiration of Prime Minister Edi Rama.