Duka: Vlora deserves more, we support any kind of project to build fields

2023-05-06 13:00:36, Sport CNA

The International Competition for the new city stadium project, "Flamurtari", took place this Saturday in Vlora. The three architectural studios selected as finalists, FUKSAS (Italy), OPPENHEIM Architecture (USA & Switzerland) and XDGA (Belgium) presented ideas for its transformation. Not only in sports but also in social and economic environments.

The president of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka, was also present at this important activity. As in the other two competitions, he is again part of the jury that will select the winning project. In his welcoming speech, the Duke said that the city of Vlora deserves a new and modern stadium.

The head of the AFL underlined that football in Albania has developed a lot in recent years. Be it in infrastructure, with four new stadiums, but also in the other two football components. On the educational side and on the material basis free for all children.

The Duke did not hesitate to once again call for cooperation with the local units in Vlora, the 'Flamurtari' club or even businesses of the coastal city. For the construction of as many fields as possible for children, while underlining that the ALF will support every project.

Among other things, the number one of Albanian football guaranteed that today the jury will select the best work among the three finalist projects. To serve Vlora, the footballers, the press and of course, the fans.

Dear footballers, coaches, media representatives,

Allow me to thank the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, on behalf of you, on behalf of the football community, not only Volonia but all of Albania. For this process of building stadiums throughout Albania. I would also like to thank the Minister, Mrs. Evis Kushi, who has been part of the process since the beginning after the announcement of the initiative by the Prime Minister.

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I would like to thank the jury and not only today's jury, but all international juries. With the best experts in Europe who have voluntarily contributed to the selection of these projects. I would also like to thank all the studios that have accepted our invitation to be part of this competition.

There were not only 9 finalist studios, but there were more than that. I would like to thank everyone. And I want to guarantee that the juries in the first two cases and in today's case will choose the best and most suitable project for Vlora. As the Minister said, Flagurtari deserves much more than the sports infrastructure it has today.

With all the big changes that have been made in Vlora, the changes in the sports infrastructure are perhaps not deserved for Flamurtar. And for the footballers and the people of Vlonia. Football, without a doubt, is the most beautiful game in the world, the most beautiful and the most followed in Albania. Most loved by the people of Vlorë, it has three main elements: that of education, the material base and the sports infrastructure.

I think that in recent years, Albania has changed a lot in football as well. From the point of view of education, today we have a consolidated school. That produces not only football coaches, but all the specialties needed to run it: physiotherapists, doctors, physical trainers, etc. Who are licensed and known throughout Europe. Specialists ready to educate our children.

The material basis is also no longer discussed here. It is discussed maybe about the quality, but nowhere about the quantity and the equipment with it. The ASF projects, 'Your ball' for 7 years and that of 'My uniform' for the last year, have provided a material base to anyone who wants to play football in Albania.

Third, infrastructure, which is very important. The infrastructure has undergone major changes. We have built four international level stadiums since 2015. In 2015, we started with 'Elbasan Arena', a work that brought us luck and qualification for 'EURO 2016'. Under the auspices of the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama.

We followed with the other stadiums, Kukës, Shkodra and with the pearl of Albanian football, 'Air Albania Stadium'. Stadium that also brought us the 'Conference League' in Tirana. That served not only football, but served all of Albania, Albanian business, recognition of our country.

We continued with many other investments, with the construction of training fields, lighting systems and others. In Vlora, maybe we are not at the required level. The few investments that have been made in football have been made by the Albanian Football Federation. Be it the field in Pyllin e Soda, or the lighting in the Vlora stadium. Or even the field of Orikum.

I want to repeat the call also here in Vlora. To cooperate with the local units, with the Flamurtari club. To cooperate with local businesses to build more fields for the children of Vlora. We have already started a collaboration for an academy with Sokol Kushta, the legend of Vlonia and Albanian football.

I wish we crown him as soon as possible. I would not like us to stop there, but do more. I declare publicly that we are ready to support any kind of project to build fields. In cooperation with the Albanian government. The Prime Minister has expressed his readiness in all meetings. From any type of request, from individuals, municipalities or clubs.

It is enough to serve football. I don't want to linger any longer, but once again I want to guarantee you that today I believe we will choose the best work. The one that will open even more ways for the development of football in Vlora. What will serve the footballers to have a good performance. Media to perform their duties better. The architecture of Vlora, but also all the spectators who are the most important thing of a football match. Thank you!