​Expansion of the Judo Center in Peja begins, Kurti promises international standards

Work began today on the expansion of the National Judo Center in Peja.

This project aims to further advance the sport of judo and create modern conditions for Kosovo’s athletes. At the same time, it is seen as an important step toward strengthening Kosovo’s position in the international sporting arena, building on its Olympic and world achievements to date.

Alongside the president of the judo federation, Agron Kuka, and coach Driton Kuka, the cornerstone-laying ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Minister of Sport Blerim Gashani.

The president of the Judo Federation, Agron Kuka, said that this project will open up new opportunities for all athletes who practice judo and aspire to elite success in Europe and the world.

“Exactly 30 years ago, a few meters from here, my father laid a cornerstone. And it was a cornerstone of survival. Yes, it was the survival of the noble sport of judo after the Serbian occupier seized public sports halls. And after liberation, the great work and sacrifices continued in that same place to represent our country throughout the world, culminating in achievements that so far include five Olympic medals, dozens of European and world medals, and hundreds of others at international level. Besides introducing the entire international sporting community to the potential of a new state, this also aroused curiosity about what lay behind it. And that curiosity was satisfied in 2021, when the name of our brother, Driton Toni Kuka, shone as the best coach in Europe and the world, named as such by the European and World Federations. This cornerstone is being laid to create greater opportunities, both for the development of the sport and for promoting our country through the organization of international training activities and competitions. One of these will be the organization of the prestigious Mediterranean Games competitions in judo and karate,” Kuka emphasized.

Meanwhile, Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, highlighted the importance of the investment and the standards this project will bring. He announced that the expansion would include modern sports and support infrastructure, creating international-level conditions and turning the center into a point of reference for sport and economic and tourism development.

“This center where we are now was inaugurated in September 2021. Part of the road to the Olympic medals at ‘Paris 2024’ was paved right here. The rest was achieved under more difficult conditions, but through hard work and dedication, this extraordinary judo team brought home Olympic gold medals from Rio and Tokyo. With the Judo Federation’s tireless commitment to taking Kosovo even higher, as part of the ‘Kosovo, the state of judo’ program, today we are launching this new investment. This project includes:A new judo gym with international standards, a multifunctional facility that includes accommodation, a swimming pool, a fitness room and a restaurant. The project will create the conditions for Kosovo’s judo to continue moving forward, strengthen its role as a training center in Europe and, at the same time, contribute to the expansion and development of sport, tourism and the economy in our country. It is precisely here, in the new judo gym, that combat sports competitions will also be held as part of the Mediterranean Games 2030,” Kurti announced.

On the other hand, the world’s best judo coach, Driton Kuka, described this moment as the culmination of long-standing, collective work.

He stressed that this cornerstone represents a testament to many years of sacrifice and a major step toward creating conditions equal to those in the world’s most powerful countries in the sport of judo.

“For me, today is a special day, because this cornerstone is not just the beginning of a building, but a testament to the long work and sacrifice we have made as a team, as a family and as a state.

This expansion of the National Judo Center will enable us to have conditions equal to those of the world’s greatest sporting powers. Until now, we have achieved miracles in modest facilities, but with this investment, we are opening the doors for new generations to dream and reach the peaks of the world. Kosovo’s judo is already a global brand. This center will serve as an academy where not only will our champions be developed, but judoka from all over the world will also come to learn from us. This is a shared success for our athletes, coaches and institutions, which are understanding the importance of investing in our youth,” Driton Kuka said.

This national center, it was said, will also be of great benefit to the judoka and karate athletes who will compete for Kosovo at the “Prishtina 2030” Mediterranean Games.