Coordinates: 42°04′44″N 20°25′13″E / 42.07889°N 20.42028°E / 42.07889; 20.42028

Kukës Arena

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Kukës Arena
The rebuilt stadium in 2023
Map
Full nameKukës Arena
Former namesPërparimi (until 2010)
Zeqir Ymeri (2010-2022)
AddressRruga Stadiumi, 8501
LocationKukës, Albania
Coordinates42°04′44″N 20°25′13″E / 42.07889°N 20.42028°E / 42.07889; 20.42028
OwnerMunicipality of Kukës
OperatorMunicipality of Kukës
Capacity6,322
Field size100 by 74 metres (109 yd × 81 yd)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built2021-2022
Opened23 April 2022; 2 years ago (2022-04-23)
Construction cost80 millionë Lekë
(€576,000)
ArchitectMujo Noka
Structural engineerVladimir Spahiu
General contractorFatjoni Sh.P.K
Tenants
Kukësi
2012-present

The Kukës Arena is a stadium in Kukës, Albania. It is mainly used for football matches and is the home ground of the Kategoria Superiore club Kukësi.[1][2] The stadium was built on the site of the pre-existing Përparimi Stadium, located near the center of Kukës on Rruga Stadiumi (Stadium Street).[3][4]

Incidents

Ilirjan Thaçi (1995-2012), during a match of FK Kukësi at the old Zeqir Ymeri stadium.

During a friendly match between Kukësi U17 and Liria U17 on November 30, 2012, 17-year-old footballer Ilirjan Thaçi collapsed and died on the field after suffering a heart attack related to a previously undetected heart problem. Thaçi, born in 1995, was a defender on the books of FK Kukësi, his hometown club where he was also a lifelong supporter. He collapsed in the tenth minute of a friendly match and died of a myocardial infarction despite efforts to resuscitate him.[5] The following weekend, a minute's silence was held before every match in Albania in memory of Thaçi,[6] and there were also calls for the stadium to be renamed after Thaçi.[7] In his memory, a mini-tournament was held between six youth teams from Albania and Kosovo, organized by FK Kukësi president Safet Gjici.[8]

Gallery

  • The old stadium from above (2015)
    The old stadium from above (2015)
  • Interior overview of the old stadium (2015)
    Interior overview of the old stadium (2015)

References

  1. ^ FK Kukesi official website - Stadium
  2. ^ Stadium me 5 mijë vende, në Kukës nisin punimet Archived February 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Bashkia e Kukësit i hap rrugë ndërtimit të stadiumit 15/06/2012". Sportishqiptar.com.al. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  4. ^ Shqip, Gazeta (2012-06-21). ""Kukësi, me stadium të ri në shtator, me kapacitet prej 5 mijë vendesh" from Gazeta Shqip, June 21, 2012". Gazeta-shqip.com. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  5. ^ Tragedi skakar albansk fotboll.
  6. ^ Futbolli shqiptar mban zi per Ilirjan Thaci
  7. ^ Peticioni: Stadiumi i Kukësit të quhet “Ilirjan Thaçi” Archived February 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Përkujtohet futbollisti i Kukësit Ilirjan Thaçi". Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
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