Gjergji Çikopani recalls: 39 years since the founding of the “University of Athletics” in Korçë

A moment preserved in the archives of the BFSh Committee in Korçë.

During a meeting of the Coaches’ Council, convened by Chief Specialist Tomi Stefanllari, we had the privilege to hear a scientific-level presentation by the athletics legend Piro Kasati, together with the learned doctor Isuf Saliçe. The topic was the standardization and methodology for selecting athletes, based on their event disciplines and performance reassessments every six months.

Piro Kasati, as Head Coach, presented detailed material. Although unofficial, the meeting lasted two full days, from morning till afternoon — a marathon of discussions, arguments, passion, and above all, professional respect.

There were also debates, sometimes heated, because the fate of athletes was at stake — transferring a sportsperson from one coach to another according to the discipline where they showed the highest potential for Olympic points. This was a delicate process, as it directly involved the dedication and hard work of each coach.

Still, we tried to ease tensions with humor and understanding, as is customary among true sports enthusiasts.

The goal was to establish the Coaches’ Council as a functional, scientific, and decision-making body — not a bureaucratic administrative structure, but a professional team working on real evaluation and results.

Illustrations from global athletics models were brought in — the USA, Russia, China, Germany — and criteria were built for transferring athletes from one discipline to another based on their potential for higher results.

The minutes of the meeting (I still keep the original copy) recorded the decision for athletes to move between teams, naming specific individuals and assigning responsibility for raising Olympic points by a certain number.

For historical purposes and to acknowledge each contributor, at Piro Kasati’s insistence, the names of coaches who had trained the athletes up to that stage were also listed: V. Thëngjilli, Gj. Burda, K. Titili, M. Peçi…

This was Piro Kasati — a Head Coach who knew how to value his colleagues.

A specialized direction from Tomi Stefanllari, who brought experience from coaching athletes like K. Melo, P. Konomi, A. Vangjeli, supported administratively by Th. Gjylameti, K. Stratobërdha, Ll. Sheshmini, and tireless specialists like Niqe, Miço, Nuke, Kostani...

It was a team effort, a true collaboration among skilled specialists and warm-hearted people.

Thirty-nine years ago, while studying physical culture and sports, I had the fortune to work with people who deserved to be called true professionals.

“KORÇA BOOM”