Suhareka, 2 September 2025
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Harjulla Çeku, and the Mayor of Suhareka, Bali Muharremaj, attended the foundation-laying ceremony for the construction of the City Stadium in Suhareka. The project, financed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, represents a capital investment of around 11 million euros.
Calling this extraordinary news for Suhareka and for football and sports in Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti noted that the stadium will be classified as UEFA Category 2+ and will have over 6,500 seats.
He especially thanked the Suhareka-based football club Ballkani, stating that with its outstanding successes on the international stage it has elevated the image of Kosovo, its sports, and particularly its domestic football. With this stadium, in a way, we are repaying part of our national debt of gratitude to this exceptional team, which undoubtedly inspires more and more young people to engage in sports—especially football—thereby contributing both to sport and to public health.
The Prime Minister underlined that the Ballkani football club undoubtedly needs investments in football sports infrastructure. This is a major capital investment of 11 million euros, and now we expect the citizens of Suhareka, together with the municipality, to closely follow the works so that they proceed smoothly and swiftly, perhaps even being completed ahead of the 750 days foreseen, maybe even in less than two years, he added.
Minister Çeku stressed that this investment is part of a much broader program of the Government of Kosovo, not just of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. He noted that the budget for football infrastructure required a special commitment from the government and the prime minister, for which he expressed gratitude.
I am very pleased that here in Suhareka we are starting this crucial investment, together with the auxiliary pitch that is nearly complete. An important sports complex is taking shape here. Young talents have long awaited such infrastructure to fully develop their potential,” said Minister Çeku.
Mayor Muharremaj emphasized the significance of this day for the citizens of Suhareka, especially for the younger generations and for the Ballkani Football Club. He underlined that this is the largest infrastructure investment in living memory for the municipality, and on behalf of its citizens expressed his gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
We are here together in Suhareka today for the laying of the foundation stone of the stadium, which is UEFA Category 2+, meaning it will have more than 6,500 seats—a truly remarkable development for Suhareka and for football and sports in Kosovo.
We have been informed that all necessary works should be completed within 750 days, so that what has been envisioned in the project can be fully implemented in reality.
On this occasion, I would like to especially thank the football club Ballkani of Suhareka, which, through its extraordinary successes on the international stage, has elevated the image of our state, our sports, and particularly Kosovan football. With this stadium, whose total investment value is approximately 11 million euros, we are, in a way, repaying part of a state debt to this remarkable team, which undoubtedly inspires many young people to engage in sports, especially football, and in doing so, contributes both to sports and to health.
The football club Ballkani undoubtedly needs investment in football sports infrastructure, which is why we are here today. This is a major capital investment of 11 million euros, and now we expect the citizens of Suhareka, the Municipality, to follow the works daily, so that the project proceeds smoothly and as quickly as possible, perhaps even being completed in less than 750 days—potentially sooner than two years—because we are eager to see this stadium, whose foundation we are laying today, completed in full, with accompanying infrastructure such as parking, and lighting of 1,500 lux, so that it exists in reality for everyone to experience—whether you are a talented player on the field or a spectator in the stands.
Full Speech of Minister Çeku:
Congratulations today to Suhareka, because the town has a long sporting tradition, and the football club Ballkani has taken it to a new level, particularly in terms of international results. This investment is part of a much larger program of the Government of Kosovo, and I emphasize that it is not only a project of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports. The budget for football infrastructure required special commitment from the government and the Prime Minister, for which I am grateful, as they understood the importance of football for our country.
We are investing in many cities across Kosovo. Some stadiums are already under construction, some will be completed very soon, and others are just beginning.
I am very pleased that here in Suhareka we are starting this very important investment, alongside the auxiliary pitch that is already nearing completion. An important sports complex is being developed here.
Above all, I am thrilled for the young talents, who have long awaited this infrastructure so that their potential can be fully realized. I can see their presence and excitement even today. It is a day of celebration for Suhareka, and for Kosovo as a whole.
Congratulations once again to everyone.
