TIRANA, March 7 – Muhamet Malo, one of Albania’s most respected sportsmen, businessmen and philanthropists, has passed away at the age of 59 after a long battle with an incurable disease.
Malo, a former wrestling champion and the owner of several successful businesses including Albania’s sole cable car linking Tirana to Mount Dajti and one of the country’s biggest sports betting companies, was also devoted to charity work, having received international recognition for it.
Muhamet Malo has been in charge of the Albanian wrestling several times since the early 1990s when he quit wrestling to dedicate his life to sports and business, also founding the country’s sole sports TV.
Back in 2016, Malo received an award by former U.S. president Barack Obama for his lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service.
He was a peace missionary and honorary ambassador of the Tirana-based Diplomatic Mission Peace and Prosperity lobby organization and had been given the Doctor Honoris Causa of leadership in sports and management.
Malo had also received an Albanian presidential award for special civil merits in his contribution to promoting Albanian tourism through the cable car investment and financially supporting sports and cultural events both locally and internationally.
Viron Bezhani, a former wrestler who heads the Albanian National Olympic Committee, described Malo’s premature death as a big loss for Albanian sports, especially wrestling.
“Albanian sports and especially wrestling will miss a champion, a president, and a supporter who always stood by this sport,” said Bezhani
Malo, born in Tirana but with roots in Kolonja, southeastern Albania, is survived by his wife and four children.
