Full name | Kukës Arena |
---|---|
Former names | Përparimi Stadium (until 2010) Zeqir Ymeri Stadium (2010–2022) |
Location | Rruga Stadiumi Kukës, Albania |
Coordinates | 42°04′44″N 20°25′13″E / 42.07889°N 20.42028°E |
Owner | Municipality of Kukës |
Operator | Municipality of Kukës |
Capacity | 6,322 |
Field size | 100 by 74 metres (109 yd × 81 yd) |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Built | 2021–2022 |
Opened | 23 April 2022 |
Construction cost | 80 million lek €576,000 |
Architect | Mujo Noka |
Structural engineer | Vladimir Spahiu |
General contractor | Fatjoni Sh.P.K |
Tenants | |
2012–present |
The Kukës Arena is a stadium in Kukës, Albania. It is primarily used for football matches and it is the home ground of Kategoria Superiore club Kukësi.[1][2] The stadium was built on the site of the pre-existing Përparimi Stadium, located near the centre of Kukës on Rruga Stadiumi (Stadium Road).[3][4]
History
Ilirjan Thaçi
During a friendly game between FK Kukësi U17 and KF Liria U17 on 30 November 2013, 17 year old footballer Ilirjan Thaçi collapsed and died on field following a heart attack related to a previously undetected heart problem. Thaçi was born in 1995 and he was a defender on the books at FK Kukësi, his hometown club where he was also a lifelong supporter. He collapsed during the tenth minute of the friendly game and he died having suffered a myocardial infarction, despite efforts to resuscitate him.[5] A minutes silence was held before every game in Albania the following weekend in memory of Thaçi,[6] and there were also calls for the Zeqir Ymeri Stadium to be renamed after Thaçi.[7] A mini tournament was held in his memory consisting of six youth sides from Albania and Kosovo, which was organised by FK Kukësi's president Safet Gjici.[8]
Gallery
- Old stadium
- Old stadium
References
- ↑ FK Kukesi official website - Stadium
- ↑ Stadium me 5 mijë vende, në Kukës nisin punimet Archived February 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Bashkia e Kukësit i hap rrugë ndërtimit të stadiumit 15/06/2012". Sportishqiptar.com.al. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Tragedi skakar albansk fotboll.
- ↑ Futbolli shqiptar mban zi per Ilirjan Thaci
- ↑ Peticioni: Stadiumi i Kukësit të quhet “Ilirjan Thaçi” Archived February 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Përkujtohet futbollisti i Kukësit Ilirjan Thaçi". Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-08-21.