Tirana 2026 passes the EUSA flag to La Nucía
The European Universities Combat Sports Championships Tirana 2026 officially came to an end with a closing ceremony held at Godina “Liria” in Student City, bringing together athletes, university delegations, officials, volunteers, partners and guests for one final celebration of European university sport.
After days of competition across Karate, Taekwondo, Judo and Kickboxing, Tirana said farewell to the university athletes and officials who had travelled from across Europe to take part in one of the largest university sporting events ever organised in Albania.
The ceremony opened with the ceremonial entry of the flags of the participating countries, followed by a parade of volunteers carrying the national flags, recognising the contribution of the volunteer team throughout the Championships.
A championship that tested everyone involved
The first official address was delivered by Mr. Ervin Pepi, General Manager of the Event, who reflected openly on both the scale of the Championships and the challenges faced by the Organising Committee.
Addressing President Besnik Veliu, the athletes, officials, volunteers and friends of the Championships, Mr. Pepi acknowledged that Tirana 2026 had tested the organisers in ways they had not expected, particularly in providing accommodation and services on such a large scale.
A particularly personal part of his address was dedicated to Mr. Besnik Veliu, President of the Albanian University Sports Federation.
“The strongest guarantee anyone can count on is your name: Besnik — which, fittingly, means ‘loyal.’”
Mr. Pepi thanked President Veliu for entrusting him and the Organising Committee with “the challenge, the struggle and the responsibility” of carrying the Championship through, before closing with a personal message:
“You are a true and loyal friend — and fortunate are those who can call you their friend.”
He concluded by thanking and congratulating everyone who had contributed to making Tirana 2026 possible.
The address was followed by Mr. Gyorgy Kovacs, representing the European University Sports Association (EUSA), with the official speeches highlighting the cooperation between EUSA, the Organising Committee, the participating sports federations and the partners involved in delivering the Championships.
Recognising the people behind Tirana 2026
A special part of the evening was dedicated to recognising the institutions, national federations and international technical teams that contributed to the organisation of Tirana 2026.
Among those recognised were Mr. Endri Hoxha, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and President of the Organising Committee, and Mr. Besnik Veliu, President of the Albanian University Sports Federation, together with representatives of the Albanian Karate, Taekwondo, Kickboxing and Judo federations.
The international technical contribution was also acknowledged. Special appreciation was extended to Mr. Romeo Desa EUSA Technical Delegate for Kickboxing and Ms. Ilda Lelo, Kickboxing Coordinator, for their contribution and efforts to the development of Kickboxing in Albania, and Mr. Wieslaw Blach, EUSA Technical Delegate for Judo, for his efforts and contribution to the development of Judo in Albania.
The people working behind the scenes were not forgotten. The ceremony paid particular tribute to the volunteers and operational teams whose work supported the Championships across the competition venues, accommodation, catering, logistics and daily event operations.
Ersi Qazolli and Beata Luczak were invited to the stage as representatives of the volunteer team, symbolically recognising the wider contribution of the volunteers who supported the event throughout its delivery.
Tirana passes the baton
One of the most symbolic moments of the evening came with the traditional EUSA Flag Ceremony.
Following the performance of Gaudeamus Igitur, the EUSA flag was lowered and handed by Mr. Besnik Veliu, President of the Albanian University Sports Federation, to Mr. Gyorgy Kovacs, representing EUSA.
The flag was then passed to Mr. Kevin Koff Illueca, representing the next organiser, formally marking the transition from Tirana to La Nucía, Spain.
A presentation video introduced the future host before Mr. Illueca addressed the audience, continuing the tradition of passing responsibility for the European Universities Combat Sports Championships from one organiser to the next.
Albanian culture closes the evening
With congratulations to the athletes and appreciation to all participating universities, officials, federations, volunteers and partners, the Organising Committee formally declared the European Universities Combat Sports Championships Tirana 2026 closed.
From Tirana to La Nucía, the EUSA flag continues its journey, carrying with it the spirit of university sport, cooperation, friendship and the responsibility of each host to pass the tradition forward.