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The idea of a football cup among Albanians
All right, no single national team, no shared league, but what stops Albania and Kosovo from creating an inclusive tournament with the “red-and-black” teams?
I say nothing stops them! With a little will and two or three sound ideas, a football cup among Albanians could be properly marketed, encouraging not only economic and cultural exchanges but also bringing us closer “among ourselves”.
Here is an idea “for free” for a cup among Albanians!
Whatever one’s political and historical views of the King, I think a King’s Cup, “como en España”, as in Spain, would be perfect in our case, both for marketing and for public diplomacy.
For example, let Prince Leka II take the initiative to organise it. After all, what other work does he have? Do you know what else he does?
His lobbying could bring in various sponsors. Once a time has been agreed, of course, that does not clash with other commitments the teams may have. In summer, for example!
It would be perfect!
All the clubs beyond Albania’s borders could be invited, and I believe an invitation from Prince Leka II would be taken more seriously than other ideas or organising parties.
Let us imagine it for a moment! The Republic Cup… then the King’s Cup… then a team winning a treble in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and elsewhere! Fantastic!
What product or brand could best represent Albanians?
Unfortunately, there is no particular product or brand. But there are businesses all the same. “Kastrati”, for example, whose operations extend beyond Albania throughout the region.
Let Mr Shefqet Kastrati become a promoter of sport too, by investing in a tournament across borders. The benefit would be mutual.
The brand would become known and advertised beyond the border, while sport, culture and public diplomacy would interact and prosper, encouraging a more connected future among Albanians.
The same goes for others, such as Mr Samir Mane or the Hysenbelliu family, who could use a sporting tournament like this to promote their products.
There, I have offered an idea of my own. Who knows how many ideas the federations, the Albanian Football Association (FSHF) and the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK), could come up with if only they had the will and desire to organise something. All the arguments that “UEFA does not allow this” are just empty excuses.
P.S. Those in Kosovo could take the initiative too. There are powerful entrepreneurs over there just right for this!