In recent years the opportunities for Kosovar Albanians to observe or participate in organised sports activities have been constrained. Existing facilities are in poor condition mainly through neglect. As sports are, however, very popular there is considerable demand for the provision of improved facilities across a wide range of sporting activities. Discussions with municipalities have generated pressure at the municipal level to call on the public sector for provision of new or upgraded capital.
Municipalities seek provision of a wide range of facilities with significant cost implications.
The majority of requests from municipalities are, however, for new facilities that do not rate a high priority for any public funding without further detailed consideration. In addition to the damage to sports facilities caused by the conflict and previous neglect, in February 2000 the major sports complex, in Pristina, the Boro e Ramiz Centre, was badly damaged by fire. This facility has symbolic importance as it was constructed with the proceeds of a special levy on income, which was imposed for several years. Replacement of this facility is not proposed in this document. The IMG surveyed the state of sporting facilities across the country in 1999-2000.