Following a special reception at the Kosovo National Olympic Committee office and the office of Mr. Isa Mustafa, Prime Minister of The Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Vizer attended the gala dinner on Saturday in Pristina, the country’s capital city and home city of Olympic gold medallist Majlinda Kelmendi who ensured a sensational first Olympic Games for Kosovo at Rio 2016 as Mr. Hashim Thaçi, President of The Republic of Kosovo, memorably waited to congratulate Kelmendi on the field of play.
Kosovo became members of the IJF in 2012 as judo’s world governing body was one of the first International Federation’s to grant the country full membership. Kosovo has a special affinity with judo as the sport and exploits of double world champion Kelmendi and her teammates have helped to put her country on the map in the sporting world.
Mr. Vizer has made numerous visits to Kosovo as a long-time supporter of the country and Kosovo Judo Federation, including previously being hosted by the former President of the Republic of Kosovo, Madam Atifete Jahjaga, and on this occasion received a Prominent Recognition Award.
The IJF President made a number of presentations before delivering an IOC pin to Kelmendi. Mr. Vizer awarded the IJF Symbol, a special statue of judo founder Jigoro Kano, to Mr. Isa Mustafa, Prime Minister of The Republic of Kosovo in his office in the afternoon and at the gala presented the same award to Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, AIBA President and IOC Executive Board Member and Mr. Besim Hasani, Kosovo National Olympic Committee President.
Mr. Memli Krasniqi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development in the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and Vice President of the Kosovo Judo Federation, received the IJF Gold Medal from Mr. Vizer which was dedicated to the Kosovo Judo Federation.
The IJF Gold Card was presented by Mr. Vizer to Mr. Ivo-Goran Munivrana, International Table Tennis Federation Vice President, Majlinda Kelmendi, her coach Driton Toni Kuka and Agron Kuka, Kosovo Judo Federation President.