TIRANA, January 16/ATA/ On the 16th of January 2025, a grant contract was signed between H.E. Ms. KATO Kikuko, Ambassador of Japan to Albania and Mr. Drin Shkreta, President of Albanian Judo Federation (AJF) in the framework of Grant Assistance Cultural Grassroots Projects (GCGP) to AJF. Through this contract, the Government of Japan will provide EUR 46,500 to the Albanian Judo Federation to procure Judo equipment (competition uniforms, tatami mats and a flagpole stand) and electronic equipment (scoreboards, scales, monitors and cameras.) in accordance with the tournament regulations of the International Judo Federation.
The aim of this grant is not only to improve the environment for Judo athletes in Albania to raise their capacities to a higher level, but also to improve Albania’s possibilities and capabilities to participate in international Judo competitions and to host national and international competitions in Albania.
In Albania, AJF is the third recipient of GCGP, after the Polytechnic University of Tirana (UPT) and Albanian Karate Federation (AKF) in previous years: UPT received equipment for the establishment of a Japanese Language Laboratory (audio-visual classroom) at the University and AKF received Karate equipment accordingly.
During the signing ceremony, Ambassador KATO expressed her hope that through GCGP at this time, the environment of Judo competition in Albania will be improved by procuring the needed equipment. She continued that this would also make Albania possible to invite regional and international Judo competition to Albania, which would make Judo in Albania more popular. She also encouraged Albanian Judo-ka (Judo Athletes) to aim for international competitions including Olympic Games to show the world the art of Judo in Albania. Ambassador KATO further expressed her hope to strengthen friendly ties between Japan and AJF as well as Albania through this grant. The President of AJF, Mr. Shkreta expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan for this assistance. He further emphasized the critical need for this equipment to improve the overall quality of Judo in Albania, enabling the federation to host regional and international competitions of higher level.
This grant follows the success of the “Japanese Ambassador’s Cup for Judo/Karate” started in 2022 during the “Japanese Culture Week”, co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Albania, and AJF and AKF. The Japanese Ambassador’s Cup has been held every year since then, with the third edition held in 2024. Both AJF and AKF were recognized for their efforts and contributions to promote Japanese martial arts and culture in Albania and received Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation in 2023.
Judo, founded in Japan in 1882 by KANO Jigoro, made its Olympic debut (for men) at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Today, Judo is one of the most recognized Japanese martial arts in the world, emphasizing discipline, technique, and respect, and continues to inspire athletes worldwide.
