Elena Kaliská officially takes over as Director of DUKLA Military Sports Centre Banská Bystrica

The DUKLA Military Sports Centre Banská Bystrica has a new leadership. Two-time Olympian Elena Kaliská has taken over from Olympian Matej Tóth as the next Director of the DUKLA Military Sports Centre. Lt Col Matej Tóth decided to quit his role, leave the Service and return to civilian life at his own request with effect from 30 November 2024. As a result, Elena Kaliská was temporarily appointed to the role by Secretary General of the MOD Service Office Peter Krajčírovič with effect from 1 December 2024.

In a statement on the change of leadership at DUKLA, Secretary General of the MOD Service Office Peter Krajčírovič said: “At this moment, she is the best choice. The DUKLA Military Sports Centre is a place she is truly at home, because next year she will have reached her 30th work anniversary as an active member. Her hard work, tenacity, knowledge of the work environments and people in them professionally qualify her to undertake the responsibilities of this role. I believe that she will build a high quality and valuable team of colleagues and that DUKLA will be recognised as a renowned and respected brand. The MOD will be supportive of her efforts to do so.” He continued: “On behalf of the Ministry of Defence and on my own behalf, I would like to thank Matej Tóth – an outstanding athlete and a great person – for his work for DUKLA. I bow down to his sport achievements, he will always remain our Olympic champion and sport legend, and I wish him every success in his professional and private life.”

For Elena Kaliská, who most recently worked as the DUKLA Marketing and Public Communications Team leader, leading the Military Sports Centre is a great challenge. ”First of all, I would like to thank the Ministry of Defence for the trust placed in me. This is both challenge and motivation. We have a number of demanding tasks ahead of us to make DUKLA a well-recognised and respected brand. I believe we all need to pull together now. Just one thought on my first steps as the new director, I need to look around a bit and take a breath – but not for long because I have to work hard,” the newly appointed director said.

Apart from this change of leadership, Maj Pavel Kobela is succeeded by Gabriel Baran as Director of the Sports Management Branch and Chief Coach of the DUKLA Military Sports Centre.