Agron KUKA, President of Kosovo Judo and EJU Sport Director, discussed the rise of popularity of judo in Kosovo as well as the expansion of the EJU calendar and the goal of our organisation moving in to the new year. First however, Kuka took the opportunity to mention the most recent event; the U23 European Championships when discussing with EJU and IJF Commentator, Loretta CUSACK DOYLE.
We’ve really had nice judo shown by all competitors, it is clear that this age is becoming more and more popular. There were some serious competitors and it is a very high level now. I think we need this age group, it shows great potential and some of these will be looking to the LA Games in 2028. Especially for the men, the gap from junior to senior is huge, so this is an important step for them in their transition, and they have the chance to get more experience by using the U23 event.
The Kosovo team continues to grow and after a wonderfully successful series of Olympic triumphs, the focus is on attaining more judoka and implementing the values in younger athletes.
Actually, judo in Kosovo is now really popular but has been practiced since 1968, so a long time. We began working harder, more seriously and the work has been done. Especially in some parts of the country and I can tell you it takes a lot of hard work, and not only that, but the support of the government. In the start we had nothing, it was only us doing it for the love of the sport, then after some success, we had a little support but we just kept going!
Another 15 years on, we were lucky to have some good talents who were the first participants in the Rio Olympics, and in that time, truly fortunate to take a gold medal! Since then, we took more Olympic medals, and I think it is a good example for other nations, just train professionally and with great sacrifice. Comparing to before Olympic medals, the female participation is much higher for women in Kosovo, and now they are equally celebrated, and in the younger ages the girls seem to be much more serious than the boys. I think this is how we achieve the female success, they have a greater ability to listen and follow direction. Our girls, Majlinda, Nora and Distria, our medallists, they set a really good example.
The term ‘success breeds success’ has been applicable for Kosovo, and for the younger athletes looking on, they can think ‘if she can achieve it, so can I’. In this sense, judo is a powerful sport and can have a huge impact on future generations.
Judo in Kosovo is the most successful and continues to be the top sport, this gold medal in Rio was a great example for the future generation, not just to encourage girls in judo but in all sports. It helps a lot with investment for the government and now we have a state programme that is trying to promote the country through judo.
We have multiple international camps, a modern national judo centre, and in some cities we will have specialist centres just for judo. This is because judo is mostly situated in the west of our country, in our city as for a long time it was a family matter. Now we’re trying to put judo in to schools, we currently have 20 trainers who are taking sessions and it’s going well. I think judo has a bright future in Kosovo.
It isn’t only in Kosovo that Kuka want’s to spread the power of judo, but across the continent. Working within the sports sector of the EJU allows Kuka to be part of the development of judo, but there is a new addition to the calendar which is in fact looking more at education than competition. The U15 Hopes Cup is coordinated with a specialist seminar with a Kodokan expert and a ‘European Hero’.
The idea behind this is not only competition, actually this is the least important part, we want the children to be more educated rather than competitive, to have socialising opportunities, we don’t want them to think about competition or feel this pressure to win. For kids to go other countries, see new cities and meet other children, I think this helps to keep them in sport. I believe it will grow and grow because education is important, and receiving it from the professionals is the idea behind the Kodokan experts and European Heroes.
This event has already proven to be a great educational tool, but the fear is that it may become an area that becomes too competitive, that success in a cup event may return financial incentive which then has a detrimental impact on the purpose and foundation of the programme.
I think it is important that we work closely with our governments to ensure they understand the importance of sport, especially judo, because it isn’t just sport. Investing early in sport is better than investing later in prisons. We have a difficult job in judo, in EJU and in national federations, we need to promote our sport, it is a way of living. The sooner the governments understand this the better. This event should take off the pressure of competition, they should see it as a game. It’s important to see the world, it is what keeps our judoka involved, and this is how we can offer them that experience.
Loretta continued to add,
Our values are so strong and it brings the best out of people. It is important for parents to see that as a sport, we want to give them the same education and moral values. They develop so much in socialising when travelling, new cultures and learning respect. I think taking children off the street and in to the judo family is always the goal and it is so dear to my heart.
It was also suggested by Loretta following her own experience as a child, that a team event would be a way to reduce pressure and take the competitive focus off the event, to which Kuka responded,
A team event is actually a nice idea and something to be considered, it removes even more pressure and it gives them more support. I think it could be the future of U15. We discussed the name ‘cup’ being removed, as it seems too serious, it is counterproductive, the format is so important and we want them to really concentrate on the education.
EJU is the highest level of judo in the world, it has the highest number of medals in World Championships, Olympic Games and much more events and so the responsibilities are much higher, the level is always growing. Now I think we should concentrate on the concept of judo for all, all age groups, judo is a sport that can be beneficial for everyone, not only competitors. The Safe Falls programme for example and adapted judo, we are really full of inclusive programmes and I’m so glad that judo is something that can be practiced by anyone, and that the practice of judo can improve health and the safety of people.
Author: Thea Cowen