Peja, 7 November, 2023
As a result of the state program “Kosovo, State of Judo”, today the first group of members of the Kosovo Security Force was certified in Judo, an event attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajrulla Çeku.
In the home of our champions, as Prime Minister Kurti called the Judo Center, the connection of the sport of judo with the army was successfully achieved, which is another step forward for the empowerment of our boys and girls in uniform.
“I really hope that this experience has strengthened you even more, not to attack others but to be capable enough to defend yourself and be prepared with the appropriate technique, strength, and endurance. This is the only way we can build a safe and democratic Kosovo, free and equal for all”, the Prime Minister congratulated the certified FSK who from now on combine the army uniform with judo kimonos.
Regarding our army, which is a pillar of security in Kosovo and a pillar of peace in the region, the prime minister said that in the last two years we have doubled the budget for the army and increased investments in armaments by 191%, until together with them we have added 1852 soldiers Young.
The “Kosovo, State of Judo” program, which ensures the connection of the sport of judo with the education and health of our young people, now gives the KSF the opportunity to prepare in judo, self-defense and close combat from world champions under the leadership of the head coach Kuka shines, while our elite judokas have the opportunity to be part of the force that serves the people and the state.
Prime Minister Kurti congratulated the latter for the four medals won last weekend, two medals for the Albanian army from Nora and Distria, and two for Kosovo from Akili and Laura, wishing that just as our pride for them, neither their successes never stop.
Meanwhile, Agron Kuka, president of the Kosovo Judo Federation, said that it is a pleasure and a privilege to certify the first, but not the last, soldiers of our glorious army within the framework of the “Kosovo, State of Judo” program.
“As a sport of judo, we take easy steps, but wherever we step, we leave indelible traces, and today I am convinced that this will remain a permanent trace”, he said, thanking Prime Minister Kurti as the main supporter of the “Kosovo, State” program of Judo” and the creator of this program, Minister Çeku.
Driton Kuka, coach of the sport of judo, said that now this sport, in addition to being an emblem of the successes of our country, is going beyond the fact that judo is not only a sport, but also the main pillar of the organization and strengthening of armies around the world, now henceforth also of our army.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
The honorable Mr. Ejup Macedonci, Minister of Defense,
The honorable Mr. Hajrulla Çeku, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports,
The honorable Mr. Agron Kuka, President of the Judo Federation in Kosovo,
The honorable Mr. Driton Kuka, judo coach and Sports Director at the Judo Federation in Kosovo,
Dear Deputy Minister, Daulina Osmani, and Deputy Minister, Taulant Kelmendi, from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
Dear Mrs. Majlinda Kelmendi, judo coach, Olympic judo champion,
Dear Nora, Distria, Akil and you other honorable athletes,
Officers and Soldiers of the Kosovo Security Force,
Dear members of the Assembly of the Republic, Mr. Agusholli,
Many dear judo champions and champions,
Dear athletes,
Ladies and gentleman,
Dear attendees,
As always, it is a great pleasure to be here with you in Peja, in the Judo Center, in the home of our champions. Last weekend, you added four new European medals to your extensive drawer of international medals. Four medals – of them, two medals for the Albanian army from Nora and Distria, and two of them for Kosovo, Akili and Laura.
Many congratulations to the four of you, and many thanks, Toni and Majlinda. Like our pride in you, I wish that your successes never stop and always increase.
It is an even more special pleasure, that today we see this combination of army uniform with judo kimonos. Both go very well with each other.
And through the “Kosovo, State of Judo” program, in addition to ensuring the connection of the sport of judo with the education and health of our young people, we are already seeing the first fruits of the institutional interaction with security and protection.
While FSK has the opportunity to be prepared by world champions, at the same time our judokas now have the opportunity to be part of the force that serves the people and the state. The force which is a pillar of security in Kosovo and a pillar of peace in the region.
In these last two years, we have doubled the budget for the army, and we have increased investments in armaments by 191% or almost three times, and together with them we have added and built 1852 new soldiers. Linking the sport of judo with the military is another step forward in empowering our boys and girls in uniform.
Through judo, of course, the contribution to the sport becomes even greater because each of you becomes more capable and stronger to be on duty, you learn how to control and trust your body and mind more.
The father of Japanese judo, Jigro Kanos, saw the techniques and preparations of judo far beyond the sport. Judo is a way of life that teaches and enables four basic things:
– Observation of the situation, of people and the environment;
– For strategic and determined movement;
– Teaches you to take initiative and know when to give up;
– And above all to always be ready for competition and war.
All these require preparation of the body, but even more than the body, of everyone’s mind. These skills are important for life in general, but also for the army and service to citizens in particular.
I really hope that this experience has strengthened you even more, not to attack others but to be able enough to defend yourself and be prepared with the appropriate technique, strength, and endurance. Only in this way can we build a safe and democratic Kosovo, free and equal for all.
Many successes to everyone in the Kosovo Security Force and our heart team, the champion judokas. This program will be systematized and will remain a common development part of two very important pillars of our country, both sports and the army.
Cheers and thank you very much!
