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The "silent hero" who paved Kosovo's path to FIFA, the unknown story of Hasan Kadriu
2026-04-01 16:29:07 / SPORT
An extraordinary story, left in the shadows for years, now comes to light through a narrative that touches not only on sport, but also on the national issue itself. It is about Hasan Kadriu, the man who quietly laid the foundations for the internationalization of Kosovar football and opened the doors to the world's greatest sports institutions.
The documentary "The Silent Hero", made by director Kastriot Saqipi, brings into focus Kadri's life and activities, revealing unknown dimensions of a figure who, according to the author, left an indelible mark on the history of Albanian football and beyond.
According to Saqipi, Hasan Kadriu's journey was extraordinary and closely linked to great names in national history such as Jusuf Gërvalla, Bardhosh Gërvalla and Kadri Zeka. He emphasizes that Kadriu had turned the advancement of Albanians in sports into a vital mission.
Saqipi reveals that Kadriu was among the first Albanian managers in the world, at a time when this required large financial resources and strong international connections. Furthermore, he had created close friendships with key figures in world football such as Sepp Blatter, directly influencing the affirmation of Albanian football in the international arena.
"I was amazed by his story. That's why I made the documentary, which I also sent to your editorial office. Hasani was a close friend of Jusuf Gërvalla, Bardhosh Gërvalla and Kadri Zeka. Hasani considers the advancement of Albanians in sports as a national issue. He is the first Albanian manager among the 500 managers in the world that existed at that time, because it took a large sum, 2 or 3 million marks to become a manager, and he was the only Albanian who became a manager and who had a close friend, Sepp Blatter, who was the president of FIFA, the most influential man in world football, and here he advanced the football of Albania and Kosovo."
Hasani has affirmed the most famous former Albanian footballers, says Saqipi.
Kadriu also played an important role in promoting many Albanian footballers such as Alban Bushi, Rudi Vata, Kushtrim Munishi and Muharrem Sahiti, who, according to Saqipi, continue to remember him with emotion even after decades.
One of the key moments, according to Saqip, was the launch of the process for Kosovo's membership in FIFA, in collaboration with Agim Ademi, where the relevant documentation was submitted to Blatter himself.
Kadri's death, for the documentary's author, remains suspicious and enigmatic.
Despite this, Hasan Kadriu's contribution continues to be appreciated today, while his work was followed by other important figures such as Fadil Vokrri, advancing the journey of Kosovar football towards international success.
Saqipi recalls an interesting detail from Hasan Kadri's activities, when the footballers did not want to return, seeking asylum, but he convinced them to return to their homeland. /KosovaPress
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