From e-sports to padel: Supporting the growth of sports in Kosova
Over the past few years, the bank has increased its engagement in the world of sports, supporting both professional-level competition and internal activities that promote health and wellbeingamong our staff.
The Red Hall [Salla e Kuqe in Albanian] in Prishtina looked a little different during our last e-sports tournament in March. The hall was filled with gaming gear - screens, consoles, and players fully focused on the action. Fans watched closely. The atmosphere was intense and full of energy, just like you would expect at an e-sports tournament.
E-sports is quickly growing in popularity in Kosova, especially among the country’s young population. To support its further development, our bank has organized two major tournaments over the past two years, bringing together hundreds of players and fans.
Rinor Gashi, a digital marketing expert at the bank who has been closely involved in organizing the tournaments, says: “E-sports is growing fast, and young people are not just playing — they are building communities around it.”
He himself is a fan of computer games. “These games can boost problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and even creativity. They also encourage teamwork, especially in games where players rely on each other to win”, he told RaiMagazine, the bank's newsletter.
E-sports tournaments are just one part of the bank’s broader commitment to promoting sports in the country. For the second year in a row, Raiffeisen Bank is the main sponsor of Kosovo’s Volleyball Federation, supporting one of the country’s most popular and fast-growing sports.
The president of this federation, Bahri Gjinovci, welcomes any support to further develop this sport. He says the support from the bank has helped it in many ways, including to increase the visibility to a broader public.
“Thanks to this cooperation, volleyball in Kosova today is more visible, more attractive, and more credible in the eyes of the public, other sponsors, and potential investors”, he says.
“Raiffeisen Bank is the strongest example of how a major financial institution can become a driver of sustainable sports development, helping elevate volleyball in Kosovo to higher levels. In this regard, Raiffeisen Bank's contribution to the Volleyball Federation of Kosovo over the past two years has been both highly meaningful and strategic”, Gjinovci adds.
Fancy a game of padel?
The bank is also making efforts to support and promote less popular sports in Kosova, such as padel, a sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is typically played in doubles on an enclosed court, where the ball can bounce off the walls, adding a dynamic twist to the game.
Easy to learn and highly social, padel is gradually gaining popularity worldwide for its fun and accessible style of play.
A sponsorship agreement with the Padel Federation was signed with aim of supporting it attracts more players and fans in Kosova.
On the other hand, football continues to draw the most attention in the country. Kosova was admitted to the international arena only in 2016, becoming a full member of both FIFA and UEFA. Since then, the national team, made up largely of young talents who grew up or play abroad, has marked significant progress.
Just a few months ago, they achieved a historic milestone by being promoted to League B of the UEFA Nations League. This promotion brings them closer to competing with top European teams, offering another opportunity for growth.
However, local football remains behind some European standards. That’s why we’ve gladly partnered with the Football Federation as the general sponsor of the First League, supporting the development of domestic football.
As Anita Kovacic, CEO of the Bank, stated at the signing of the sponsorship agreement in 2024, “Football holds a special place in the hearts of the people in Kosova, and we are delighted to contribute to its continued growth.”
Promoting employee health and well-being
Over the past years, the bank has also broadened its commitment to the health and wellbeing of its staff. Two major programs — the recently launched #HealthyYouMay and #FeelGoodOctober — include a range of indoor and outdoor activities such as hiking, regular running in Gërmia Park, and organizing football tournaments.
The bank also encourages various physical activities held on its premises and supported the participation of several colleagues in both the Prishtina and Tirana marathons in 2024.
Building strong connections among employees is essential. Activities like these offer valuable opportunities to improve communication and foster a sense of belonging within the team. As a result, organizations around the world are increasingly prioritizing such initiatives — and we’re proud to be part of this positive shift.
[This article was initially published as part of the 4th edition of the bank's newsletter, RaiMagazine]