Prishtina, 7 June, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, today participated in the judo demonstration by the Olympic Judo Champion, Majlinda Kelmendi, in the “Minatori” sports hall, in Mitrovica.
In this activity, which takes place within the framework of the program “Kosovo, the state of judo” and aims to promote the values and sport of judo, Prime Minister Albin Kurti expressed his satisfaction and honor that the first golden girl of Kosovo was present at that event, Majlinda Kelmendi.
According to the Prime Minister, Majlinda’s journey throughout her sports career has become a symbol of hope and dedication in the Republic of Kosovo and around the world, thus becoming synonymous with inspiration and success for each of us. On this occasion, he considered that her virtues make her a champion on the tatami, a champion in life and a champion for life.
During his speech, the prime minister highly appreciated the contribution of judo coach Driton Kuka, who since 2009 has brought Kosovo over 200 medals from international sports arenas, 87 gold, including 3 Olympic gold medals. Thus, the sport of judo and Toni, Majlinda, Distria and Nora, are an inseparable part of our collective history of state building, development and successes, which served as a motive to initiate the program “Kosovo, state of judo” today.
In the presence of students from various schools in Mitrovica, Prime Minister Kurti announced to the latter that with the new school year, the integration of judo in the lessons will begin, in which case the students will start practicing the sport of judo in their schools. Convincingly, this decision will enable many talents to be identified in each school, who will be offered the opportunity to follow Majlinda’s path to culminating successes.
In the end, the prime minister conveyed his thanks to the golden girl Majlinda, the deputy minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Daulina Osmani, the deputy mayor of the municipality of Mitrovica, Arian Tahiri and to all those present.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear students and young people from the city of Mitrovica,
Dear Majlinda, the golden girl of Kosovo,
Dear Driton Kuka, judo master,
Dear members and athletes of the judo club “Trepça”,
Dear elementary school teachers and parents,
Dear citizens and others present,
Today, we have all gathered together in the city of Mitrovica, precisely in the “Minators” gym, for this great activity that is taking place within the state program “Kosovo, the state of judo”.
It is a special pleasure and honor for me that we have among us the first golden girl of Kosovo, our Olympic champion, Majlinda Kelmendi.
Majlinda, with her sports career journey, became a symbol of hope and dedication in the Republic of Kosovo and around the world. Today, with her head held high and with great simplicity, Majlinda continues to remain synonymous with inspiration and success for each of us.
Endurance to difficulties, dedication to triumph, and modesty to success – are three virtues of Majlinda that make her: Champion on the tatami, champion in life and champion for life.
Dear students, Majlinda’s journey is the example that all of you should aim to follow in any of your endeavors in life. To tell you the truth, I am also trying to follow him personally in the task I have.
One of the best coaches in the world, Master Driton Kuka, since 2009 has brought Kosovo over 200 medals from international sports arenas, 87 of them gold, including 3 Olympic gold medals.
For this reason, the sport of judo in general, while Toni, Majlinda, Distria and Nora in particular, are an inseparable part of our collective history of nation-building and development and successes.
These annual judo results have served as an inspiration for us to initiate and develop the “Kosovo, state of judo” program together with the Judo Federation.
Since the beginning of this year, this program is knocking on the door of every school in Kosovo. Just like you today, every other day your peers everywhere in Kosovo are being introduced to the sport and techniques of judo through the demonstrations that our champions do.
With the new school year, the integration of judo into your lessons will begin. Consequently you will start practicing the sport of judo in your schools.
I am very happy that you are ending this school year watching judo, while next year you will start practicing judo.
I am also very convinced that many talents will be identified in each school, who will be offered the opportunity to follow Majlinda’s path to culminating successes. Now is the time for us to do for them what judo has done for Kosovo over the years.
I thank you all for being here, especially Majlinda. I thank our Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, and the Deputy Mayor of the municipality to continue to contribute in different ways to the massification of the sport of judo in all the municipalities of Kosovo. Today, from Peja to Mitrovica, while on Friday from Peja to Ferizaj.
Many successes to the judo club “Trepça” and to all athletes from Mitrovica.
Many thanks to everyone.
Kosovo is a country of judo!
Last modified: June 8, 2023