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By:
Faton Polisi
- 2 May 2024 16:41
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Kosovo's judo coach, Driton Kuka, publicly congratulated boxer Donjeta Sadiku, who in March qualified for the "Paris 2024" Olympic Games. Even on Thursday, he assessed Donjeta's success as a great achievement, while mentioning that five of his students are also in the area that ensures the Olympic standard. Distria Krasniqi, Laura Fazliu, Nora Gjakova, Akil Gjakova and Loriana Kuka are in the Olympic standard zone. So, a total of six athletes are expected to represent Kosovo with Olympic standards in Paris. The Olympic Games "Paris 2024" will be held from July 26 to August 11.
Coach Kuka expects Kosovo to appear at the "Los Angeles 2028" Olympic Games with more norms from different sports.
His students have won three Olympic gold medals. Of course, Majlinda Kelmendi, Nora Gjakova and Distria Krasniqi first secured the norms, then the gold medals in the main sports event.
"I hope to increase the number of sports with Olympic standards. Will the number double, I don't know. It is very brave to talk now about the 2028 Olympic Games. But for 2032, this group of ours, in cooperation with the federations, I believe that the Mediterranean Games in Pristina and the 2032 Olympics, not skipping winter sports, there in 4-8 years can to see the fruits of this work", said Kuka.
Kuka together with the Olympic champion of 2016 in Rio, Majlinda Kelmendi, the president of the Kosovo Olympic Committee, Ismet Krasniqi, and the deputy minister of MKRS, Daulina Osmani, presented the program "Supersportsmen" on Thursday. Kuka is the leader of the program, in which the state will invest four million euros for the next four years for young athletes of Olympic sports.
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Kuka and the other members of the Commission have hopes for a norm in the 2028 Olympics from Taekwondo, athletics, swimming, skiing and sports marking.
Majlinda Kelmendi also participated in the unveiling of the program. She has finished her amazing career as a judoka in the summer of 2021. She immediately joined Driton Kuka in the technical staff.
She believes that coach Kuka and other members participating in the program will produce new champions.
"My greatest luck in life was and is that I met Tony and had him as a coach. He had good financial conditions and was ready to invest in me. Today, for example, we have coaches who may not have conditions, but we also have those who have conditions and are not ready to invest in how their child should be, which Toni did with me. I am very happy and sure that from this giant program we will have great athletes and champions", said Kelmendi.
The president of the KOK, Ismet Krasniqi, is convinced that Kosovo will go to Los Angeles with a larger number of athletes with a winning rate.
"Through a careful process for which we will work with a professional commission, they will be selected to receive the epithet of the team of 20 sportsmen or super sportsmen from eight sports, which we as KOK will have our eyes on and the focus on the 2028 Olympic Games, but definitely also on the 2030 Mediterranean Games", said Krasniqi.
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MKRS Deputy Minister, Daulina Osmani, believes that the 12-year program will have its effect.
"Our aim is the results at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the 2030 Mediterranean Games which will be held in Kosovo and it is undoubtedly an additional motivation for all athletes, federations and to bring Kosovo as many results as possible as well as the 2032 Olympic Games. Yes also, the program foresees the Winter Olympic Games which are included during this 12-year period", said Osmani.
The Winter Olympic Games are held from February 6 to 22, 2026. Kosovo is far from successful in winter sports.
