2023 it’s being the year of Sport for Tirana. As the capital of Albania held the title of
“European Youth Capital 2022”, in 2023 it was awarded with the title of EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT FOR 2023
What a better environment than the beautiful Tirana therefore to host the 2023 IFBB EUROPEAN CUP!
President Santonja travelled to the capital city of Albania, to join this magnificent event, held in the impressive Palace of Congresses of Tirana, which is one of the most modern convention centres in the Balkan area. Tirana no doubt fully deserves the title of European Capital of Sport, being the capital city of a booming country, with great international connexions, amazing sport facilities, plenty of green open areas, with excellent hotels and fantastic
restaurants along all the city, and, moreover, a city in which SPORT may count with the full support from the authorities. The IFBB European Cup was a great success, attended by most of the countries from Europe, in a fully packed auditorium. In the course of his trip, he held very nice and fruitful meetings, with several national authorities, and sport dignitaries. President Santonja was very honoured to visit H. E. Mr. Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania, at the Presidential Palace in Tirana, holding with him a very cordial meeting, and transmitting him his thanks for His excellency’s decided support to our sport in the country. The meeting was very nice and interesting, and President Santonja took the opportunity to update him on the last achievements from the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation worldwide, and the new projects ahead.President Santonja also met the President of the Albania Olympic Committee, Dr. Fidel Ylli, at the Olympic Headquarters, with whom he held a very nice and
fruitful meeting, updating him about the successful development of our sport, in Albania, and internationally, and about future projects in the country.
These meetings which were held in the most cordial atmosphere reinforced the most consistent relationship between the IFBB and the Albanian authorities, in line with the great care that the Albanian and the Tirana authorities have towards sports and towards fitness and bodybuilding,
as an expression of high performance, and a way of education in the healthy lifestyle, which was fullyand unceasingly noticeable in any corner.
