The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has awarded the Presidential Medal to former basketball player Hasan Arat.
The decoration was granted in recognition of his contribution to international sport and his role in Kosovo’s candidacy to host the Mediterranean Games Pristina 2030.
For his part, Arat said he feels honored to receive the presidential medal, adding that he has promoted Kosovo on the international stage with great dedication. He emphasized that the people of Kosovo should be proud of the country’s achievements in sports, as well as of hosting the Mediterranean Games, which will take place in four years.
Hasan Arat is a businessman and sports administrator from Turkey of Albanian origin. In his sports career, he was a basketball player, while in leadership roles he has served as:
- Member of the European Olympic Committees (EOC)
- Former Vice President of the Turkish Olympic Committee
- Chair of the Coordination Commission for the Krakow 2023 European Games
- Head of Istanbul’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games
- Former member of various commissions within the IOC and ANOC
- Member of the Executive Committee of World Athletics
Most recently (2023–2024), for more than a year, he served as President of the major Turkish football club Beşiktaş.
The decoration ceremony was also attended by leaders of the Olympic Committee of Kosovo.
