The 34th sports camp of the Olympic Dreams Project has started in the Republic of Kosovo
2026-03-20 14:59
The 34th training camp of the international Olympic Dreams project has officially begun in the city of Peja (Pejë), Republic of Kosovo. The camp is held with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Judo Federation, and with the participation of athletes from the Ukrainian national judo team.
The opening of the camp took place as part of an official ceremony and the presentation of a new sports facility — a modern judo hall designed for a comprehensive training process. The city of Peja itself is one of the key centers for the development of judo in Europe, hosting a national training center established with the involvement of state leadership and the international sports community.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti
A special symbol of support for Ukraine was the address by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, who greeted attendees during the event with the words: “Slava Ukraini!” (“Glory to Ukraine!”).
This gesture became a powerful demonstration of Kosovo’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people during this challenging time.
Secretary General of the Olympic Dreams Project, Oleksandra Starkova
The event was attended by:
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti
President of the Kosovo Judo Federation, Agron Kuka
The national judo team of Kosovo and Head Coach Driton Kuka
Kosovo’s most decorated athletes and Olympic champions — Majlinda Kelmendi, Nora Gjakova, Distria Krasniqi
The Olympic Dreams project team — Technical Director Karen Balayan and Secretary General Oleksandra Starkova
Head Coach of the Ukrainian women’s national team Ganna Kashtanova, Senior Coach Dmytro Bondarchuk, and the Ukrainian national team.
Kosovo is among the world’s leading nations in judo, with its athletes having won numerous Olympic medals as a result of sustained state support and infrastructure development.
Ukrainian athletes have already begun their training process in modern and safe conditions alongside some of the strongest representatives of the Kosovo judo school.
The organization of the camp became possible thanks to the cooperation between the Kosovo Judo Federation, the Ukrainian Judo Federation, and the international Olympic Dreams project.
Participation in such international training camps is a crucial component of preparation for Ukrainian athletes, especially under conditions where opportunities for comprehensive training in Ukraine remain limited.
The Olympic Dreams project continues to systematically expand its international partnerships, providing young Ukrainian athletes with opportunities to train, compete, and develop in a safe environment alongside the world’s top athletes.