TIRANA, June 10 – Albania has sent a team of 28 athletes to the inaugural Baku 2015 European Games which is scheduled to be held from June 12 to 28 featuring more than 6,000 athletes from 50 National Olympic Committees competing in 20 sports.
Handing the national flag to Albania’s athletes before their departure for Azerbaijan, President Bujar Nishani urged the team to introduce Albania as a nation with the dignity it deserves.
“The Games have first of all a sports and cultural dimension but also play an important role in the reputation, dignity and culture of our country and nation,” said Nishani, handing the national flag to athlete Luiza Gega who will be the country’s flag carrier.
The Albanian team features two athletes who have been on the Olympic stage.
An internationally successful athlete, runner Luiza Gega won a 1500m silver medal at the 2013 Mediterranean Games and a 1500m bronze medal at the 2013 Universiade.
Meanwhile, 47-year-old shooter Arben Kucana competed in 10m Air Pistol and 50m Pistol at London 2012 while Adriatik Hoxha appeared in the Shot Put competition at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Albania will be competing in eight sports in the Baku 2015 including athletics, boxing, cycling, judo, karate, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, wrestling.
