Goal Programme - The Football Association of Albania - 2001

Football is clearly the number one sport in Albania, and the national association places great importance on youth development work. There are championships at various age levels, including U-18, U-16, U-14, U-12 and U-10, while each club in the top two divisions is obliged to have a structured youth development programme in place. Moreover, there are regional select teams for all age levels. Albanian football celebrated its greatest day on 29 March 2003, when the national team defeated Russia 3-1 in a EURO 2004 qualifying match in Tirana. Albanian teams have also recorded impressive results in the past, but major success has not yet come Albanias way. Albanian footballers are in great demand abroad. Approximately 200 Albanian players ply their trade in a number of top leagues in Europe. The most famous player at the moment is Altin Lala, captain of Hannover 96 in Germany.

At its meeting on 4 July 2001, the Goal Bureau approved the construction of a technical centre in Kamez, 15 kilometres from the capital city of Tirana. It has two artificial turf pitches, a building with changing rooms, a small restaurant and a storeroom. The Albanian FA will have its own facilities for the first time in its history and the centre will host the training sessions of various youth, national and club teams. It will also be used for courses organised as part of various development programmes and play host to specialist conferences of international associations. The new centre was opened on 24 March 2004 in the presence of Michel Platini, deputy chairman of the Goal Bureau.