President Duka inaugurates the new field in Picallë: Investment for children, youth and the future of football

2026-06-24 13:41:00, Sport CNA

President Duka inaugurates the new field in Picallë: Investment for

The capital city was added today to another modern football field, with the inauguration of the new field in the Picalla area, an investment carried out by the Albanian Football Federation in collaboration with the "Tirona Republic Football Academy".

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the President of the Albanian Football Association, Armand Duka, academy leaders, representatives of the sports community, parents and dozens of children who will have the opportunity to train in this new facility.

This investment is part of the AFF's ongoing commitment to expanding sports infrastructure throughout the country and creating the best possible conditions for the development of children's and youth football.

In his speech during the ceremony, President Duka praised the importance of investments in sports fields and emphasized that football should be as close to children as possible.

"I am truly very happy to participate today in this inauguration ceremony of this field, which is not just a football field with artificial grass, but is our idea to invest in you and all your peers, to play football, to grow up as happily as possible and to be educated as best as possible through football."

I am very convinced that our entire generation owes your age for the infrastructure that it needs to build for football. Fortunately, we in Albania are the first country in Europe that loves football. All parents should bring their children to football. All children should "pressure" their parents to send them to football. The task of all institutions is to create as many conditions as possible and we have deficits in sports infrastructure and football fields. But today we are in a good situation, in an example that is to be followed by everyone.

I want to thank the leaders of the "Tirona Republic Football Academy". It is a collaboration with the Football Federation. As is known, this field has been invested by the Albanian Football Association and the private finances of the academy leaders. I want to thank them for taking this initiative and to sensitize all those who love football and those who have the opportunity, but who are not involved in football, to join our initiative to build as many football fields as possible and to be as close as possible to you to improve the infrastructure, so that we can truly meet the conditions for you to follow your dream and passion, to continue this beautiful game.

I want to thank all of you, especially the children who are here. I want to thank you for following the game and us. I thank all the participants, the parents for the trust they have in us, the academy leaders, and I wish you to enjoy this field. I wish you to enjoy football, to have fun, to laugh, to score goals, to make as many friends as possible, and to grow as a community and team. Thank you very much for being here today", - said President Duka.

The new field in Picallë will be put at the service of children and young people in the area, offering a modern space for training and sports activities. This is another concrete investment by the Albanian Football Association within the framework of the “100 Fields” project, which aims to increase the number of sports fields and improve the conditions for the development of football throughout Albania.