Kosovan sporting champions gathered in Zahir Pajaziti square in the capital of Prishtina alongside leading figures in politics and sporting governance, including the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci.

President Thaci gave a speech which encouraged women to engage in sports and follow in the footsteps of former Kosovo champions.

He said: "I encourage all Kosovo women to follow the example of Majlinda Kelmendi (Olympic champion in judo) and many other athletes who have raised the flag of the state of Kosovo everywhere in the world by winning gold medals.

"In the 11 years of the independence of Kosovo, women have brought the greatest success to Kosovo."

In Zahir Pajaziti square, female athletes of various teams practised sports including football, handball, volleyball, boxing, karate, tennis, table tennis, curling and badminton.

President of KOC, Besim Hasani said: "The aim of the World Day of Sports and Environment is that all sport activities, including the various Championships, take place in a clean environment.

"Therefore, we are gathered here today to mark this day with the sublime goal in promoting women in sport."

Community Sport is 100 per cent mobilised, so that women are involved in every sporting field."

At the end of the event, the KOC leaders and other participants headed to the University of Prishtina campus, where they planted the 2019 Olympic Tree, while the sports clubs planted another 50 trees.