FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Democratic Party has issued a strong statement today, directly accusing Fidel Ylli, the head of the Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH), of tender abuses and clientelistic favoritism. According to the DP, KOKSH has followed a dubious procurement model where competition is lacking and the same operators are favored in tenders worth millions.
Anti-Corruption Spokesperson Genta Vangjeli has denounced that the 2022 sportswear tender worth over 1 million euros, as well as another one in 2023 with a fund of 4.7 million euros, were won by the same company. Also, the tenders for basketball and volleyball balls ended up in the hands of the same economic operator, a scheme that, according to the opposition, shows a significant lack of transparency and diversion of public funds.
The DP has denounced another serious ethical act: the appointment of an employee from Fidel Ylli's private business to the position of head of mission for the "Paris 2024" Olympic Games. This act constitutes, according to the DP, a conflict of interest and use of a public position for personal gain.
In the official statement, the DP expresses concern about the situation in Albanian sport, which is in an integrity crisis. The Albanian National Olympic Committee, a structure that should be independent, is still led by Fidel Ylli, despite a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, which was overturned by the Court of Appeal in Albania, an unprecedented decision that raises suspicions of political influence in the Albanian judiciary.
The Albanian Football Federation, for its part, has suspended all legal relations with the NAC, further deepening the crisis in the national sport. Meanwhile, recent amendments to the Law “On Sports”, proposed by Fidel Ylli himself and approved by Parliament, have increased the power of the NAC, raising concerns about political control and selective use of public funds.
Full statement:
Under a political climate that reflects the centralized spirit of a party-state, where decision-making authorities bypass international laws, conventions, and courts, the Albanian sports system is faced with another alarming case of abuse and political interference.
The Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH), which should have been an autonomous and depoliticized structure, is facing a deep crisis of legitimacy and integrity.
The current head of the Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH), Mr. Fidel Ylli, continues to hold office despite the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, which was unprecedentedly overturned by the Court of Appeal in Albania – a decision that raises deep concerns about the integrity of the judicial system and respect for international standards in sport.
Recently, the Albanian Football Federation (AFF) has also suspended all legal relations with the Albanian National Olympic Committee (NOC), further deepening the institutional crisis.
In an act that reinforces political control over sports, Parliament hastily approved amendments to the 'Sports' law, proposed by the current head of the NAC himself.
This change gives the Committee a new and controversial role in organizing extracurricular activities, impinging on the competences of the federations and questioning the transparency of the use of public funds.
Equally concerning is the data on the manner in which tenders and procurements are conducted by the NCC, where the lack of competition and the repetition of the same winning operators in large-value tenders casts doubt on the process.
We specifically mention the tender for sportswear in 2022 worth over 1 million euros and the tender in 2023 with the same object, with a fund of 4.7 million euros, as well as the procurements for the purchase of basketball and volleyball balls - all won by the same operator.
Furthermore, the involvement of an employee of Mr. Fidel Ylli's private business in the position of head of mission for the 'Paris 2024' Olympic Games is also worrying, raising serious doubts about unacceptable practices in the management of the public interest.
It appears that Fidel Ylli, former Socialist Party MP and current Chairman of the National Council of Albanians, enjoys the support of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Albanian sport deserves independence, justice and integrity. Silence is no longer an option.
Lini një Përgjigje