Friendship through competition: KFOR, EULEX and Kosovo Security Force compete in Slovenian Challenge

CAMP VILLAGIO ITALIA, Kosovo - Rain, mud and cold made a perfect day to hold the Slovenian Challenge Cup, where 14 teams from Kosovo Force, European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, and the Kosovo Security Force competed for the cup, Oct. 8 at Camp Villagio Italia, Kosovo.

In teams of five, the troops competed in physical and mental challenges that included a combat fitness test, 10-kilometer foot march, weapons range, individual first aid and wounded recover skills, and group tug of war event.

Slovenian Army Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Kovac, the senior enlisted leader for the Slovenian 77th Brigade, currently with KFOR's Multinational Battle Group-West, explained that the competition is fully organized and initiated by the noncommissioned officers of the Slovenian contingent in Kosovo.

"Every year the Slovenian Army organizes the squad competition at the Army level. Depending on the year, each unit is responsible for organizing the competition," Kovac said. "Back in Slovenia this is an annual event, but when deployed it depends on the command sergeant major."

Kovac emphasized that their main reason for organizing the competition was to gather together all the nations that serve within KFOR, as well as their partner forces.

"It is very important that we get to know each other, we serve on different bases all over Kosovo and we do not get to see each other a lot, because mostly we are in our bases when we are doing our daily routine tasks. It is important that we get to know each other," Kovac said.

At the end of the day, the Slovenian Challenge Cup was awarded to those with a hometown advantage: the Kosovo Security Force team from 2nd Battalion, Quick Reaction Force Brigade came in first place.

Kosovo Security Force Cpl. Binak Podrimqaku, a team leader with 2nd Battalion, said the day was more than just a challenge-it was an opportunity to meet many soldiers from different militaries serving in Kosovo.

"It was a very good feeling when we found out that we had won the cup," Podirmqaku said. "The challenge was very tough, and the competition was strong. The other soldiers were well prepared."

For Podrimqaku and his team, the hardest portion of the challenge was marching. "The terrain was hard and slippery," he said.

He thanked the Slovenian KFOR soldiers for extending the invitation.