The European Karate Championship for Cadets, Juniors, and U21 is currently underway in Cyprus, but athletes from Kosovo have been forced to compete without displaying the symbols of their country, the Republic of Kosovo.
Nazmi Gashi, Secretary-General of the Kosovo Karate Federation, stated that when the event was allocated to Cyprus, the federation submitted a formal complaint to the European Karate Federation and the Cyprus Karate Federation.
He explained that in 2023, the Kosovo flag was not displayed at these championships, prompting the federation to raise the issue in advance this year.
“We cannot allow it because Cyprus does not recognize Kosovo, and the state has decided that you must compete under the Federation’s flag,” Gashi said, explaining the reasoning behind the removal of Kosovo’s symbols. “In 2023, we did not participate because of this issue.”
Despite these efforts, Kosovo athletes appear to be facing the same discrimination again in 2026, being prevented from competing under their national symbols.
