Another concrete investment in support of Albanian football was inaugurated in Durrës with the opening of the new field near the “Benardina Qerraxhia” School of Sports Mastery, adding an important sports asset to the city that will serve not only the students of this school, but also the children of the Albanian Football Association’s “Elite Youth” academy.
This investment is carried out within the framework of the major project “100 Fields,” one of the most ambitious initiatives of the Albanian Football Association for the development of sports infrastructure throughout the country. The artificial turf field was made possible thanks to the cooperation between the Albanian Football Association and the Municipality of Durrës, creating modern conditions for training and the development of young talents.
At the inauguration ceremony, the President of the Albanian Football Association, Armand Duka, accompanied by the Director of the “Benardina Qerraxhia” School, management and staff of the “Elite Youth” academy, as well as players from the academy, emphasized the importance of this investment as part of a long-term vision for the future of children and Albanian football.
“Thank you for your participation. Today we are here to inaugurate the school’s field, which will serve not only the students, but also the AFA Elite Youth academy to help develop their talent on this modern field. This project is a continuation of the AFA’s projects to improve infrastructure, to provide as many modern spaces as possible for our children and for their education in Albania. It is truly a difficult task considering the country’s conditions, and this is one of the fields we have invested in. Such projects will continue and they are projects that will serve the future of children even more.”
The head of Albanian football governance praised the institutional cooperation and thanked all partners involved in the realization of the project.
“I would like to thank the Director and staff of the ‘Benardina Qerraxhia’ School, the Municipality of Durrës for the cooperation, and I hope we will have further collaborations not only in infrastructure, fields, and sports facilities, but also in all the components that help us educate children through football.”
Further, in a message to children and young people, the President highlighted the educational and social role of football, encouraging them not to give up on their passion and dreams.
“I invite you who are on the field, even though you are at a more mature age, to continue this passion—football. You will have the support not only of the Football Association, but also of Albanian institutions to create the best possible conditions for you to continue this passion and follow your dream. I wish you to become professional footballers and to become very good. Even if you do not become professionals, football will serve you greatly in life, because in today’s harsh world, where children are drawn toward bad habits, football helps keep them away, teaching them the spirit of sacrifice and teamwork, which will be very important throughout your lives even after professional football. Never give up, never withdraw thinking that you didn’t become a starter in a team—keep going.
Thank you, and I wish you to enjoy this field and that it serves you as much as possible,” President Duka concluded.
The Director of the “Benardina Qerraxhia” School, Erida Zorba, thanked the President and the Albanian Football Association for the project, describing the new field as a major step toward improving sports conditions and shaping future generations.
“A very special thank you to you, Mr. President, and a special thank you to the entire Albanian Football Association. This field completes the cycle of material resources and sports facilities that the school offers. Thank you very much, and I sincerely hope that not only you, but also the generations to come, will have a very good opportunity to become leaders in the field of sport,” said Erida Zorba in her remarks.
