On 18 September 2010 during the Special Olympics European Games in Warsaw, Poland, Mrs. Mary Davis, Managing Director, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, met with the First Lady of Albania, Mrs. Teuta Topi. The meeting was arranged so that Davis could personally thank the First Lady and her husband, President Bamir Topi, for supporting the Special Olympics Program in Albania. At the meeting, Davis also took the opportunity to thank Mr. Albi Greva, Executive Director, Vodafone Albania Foundation, and Don Marek Gryn, Director of the Don Bosco Youth Center in Tirana for their support. Albanian Ambassador Florent Celiku and Ms. Erda Cami also attended the meeting.
Since he was elected three years ago, President Topi has welcomed Special Olympics Albania athletes to the Presidential Palace while the First Lady has attended Opening Ceremonies at National Games; both have eloquently spoken to the media about the importance of supporting those most vulnerable in Albanian society. Their involvement has sparked not only the media’s interest in Special Olympics but also those who want to do volunteer week.
Special Olympics Albania sent a delegation of 17 to the Warsaw Games. On 14 September, prior to departing for Warsaw, President Topi welcomed the delegation, headed by Prof. Ismet Bellova, as well as supporters and guests to presidential offices in Tirana.
The team’s uniforms, equipment and travel were funded by the Vodafone Albania Foundation. Over the last three years the Vodafone Albania Foundation and the Don Bosco Youth Center have been strong supporters of the Special Olympics Albania National Games.
Contact:
Suzanne Coogan
Communications Director, SOEE
T: +353 1 6755715
scoogan@specialolympics.org
Nolwen Grassin
Communications, Athlete Leadership and Organizational Development
T: +32 2 536 09 15
ngrassin@specialolympics.org