The handover ceremony was held at the Tirana Olympic Park in the presence of H.E. Ms. KATO Kikuko, Ambassador of Japan to Albania, Mr. Drin Shkreta, President of the AJF, and Mr. Fidel Ylli, President of Albanian National Olympic Committee. During the ceremony, Ambassador Kato expressed her hope that this project would improve the training environment in the AJF, enhance Judo skills in Albania, and enable AJF to host regional and international Judo competitions to Albania. She also expressed her wish that Albanian Judo athletes would make good performance in international competitions such as the Olympics in the near future. She further hoped that through this project the relations between Japan and AJF as well as Albania will be further strengthened. Mr. Shkreta expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan and Ambassador Kato for their continuous support provided in Albania, underlining the importance of the grant for sports and culture.

In the field of sports and culture, the Government of Japan has provided similar grants to the Polytechnic University of Tirana in 2018 and the Albanian Karate Federation (AKF) in 2019. Since 2022, the Embassy of Japan in Albania together with the AJF and AKF have co-hosted the “Judo & Karate Japanese Ambassador’s Cup”. In 2023, the AJF and the AKF received the “Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation” for their contributions to promote friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and Albania through Judo and Karate respectively.

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.

The Foreign Minster’s Commendation is awarded to recognize the achievements of individuals and groups that have made significant contributions toward promoting friendly relations between Japan and other countries, and to request understanding and support for those efforts from all Japanese citizens.

Ambassador H.E. Mr.Mitsuyuki TAKADA congratulated both the Federations and showed his appreciation for their devotion to promoting Karate and Judo among Albanians and to training skilled athletes over the past 30 years. “Karate and judo have a long and rich history in Japan, and I am proud to see them being embraced and celebrated in Albania”, he added.

Ambassador TAKADA handed over to both Federation’s presidents, Mr. Baba and Mr. Xhixho, the awarding certificates.

Since the opening of the Embassy of Japan in Albania in 2017, both Federations Karate and Judo have contributed thoroughly to the organization of events and projects, such as the “Ambassador’s Cup” competition that was held this year, at the Olympic Park, for the second time.

In 2021, the Government of Japan provided equipment for competitions such as tatamis, national team’s uniforms and protective gears, audio equipment, to the Albanian Karate Federation with the aim of increasing the Federation’s capacity to host international and national competitions.

Karate and Judo are martial arts practices originated centuries ago in Japan. Judo is an Olympic Sport since 1964 and Karate made its full Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympic Games of 2020. Both martial arts emphasize discipline, self-defense, and respect.

The championship was held at the sports hall “Karagaç” in Peja, Kosovo.

Kosovo’s judokas have won the gold medal in this category as well, dominating in total with five competitors against Montenegro, reported KosovaPress.

Laura Fazliu, Akil Gjakova, Nora Gjakova and Loriana Kuka all proved to be of no match, easily defeating their rivals from Montenegro. /KosovaPress/p.s./

In this context, President of the European Judo Federation Lazlo Toth visited Kosovo today. There he signed the memorandum of cooperation between Kosovo Ministry of Sports, the European Judo Federation and the Kosovo Judo Federation.

On this occasion, Minister of Sports Hajrulla Çeku said that through this championship, Kosovo will have direct benefits; it will improve the infrastructure and in the same way improve the international image of the state of Kosovo.

“The successes of Kosovo’s judokas around the world are great, and the emotions they give us in competitions have come for our country as well. On December 16 this year, Prishtina will host the European Open Judo Championship for the first time. So, our country will host a very big sports event in cooperation with the Judo Federation of Kosovo and the European Judo Federation. The benefits of Kosovo through this organization will be direct and in many aspects. Through this competition, we are bringing at least 40 European countries to Kosovo; we are consolidating the state image in the international arena; we are strengthening state affiliation and identity and we strongly believe that this event will also have an impact on improving the physical infrastructure”, said Çeku.

On his part, President of the Judo Federation of Kosovo, Agron Kuka, said that this will be the biggest event that will take place in Kosovo this year, while he expressed his readiness for such events to be organized in Kosovo in the coming years.

While, President of the European Judo Federation Lazlo Toth said that he is proud that Kosovo will be the organizer of this championship, while praising the judokas of Kosovo for the successes achieved in international competitions. /KosovaPress/p.s./