Matej Tóth named new director of DUKLA Military Sports Centre

Matej Tóth, member of the SVK National Team, Olympic winner and legend of SVK athletics, has been named the new director of the DUKLA Military Sports Centre Banská Bystrica with effect from 1 November 2021.

Speaking at a change of leadership ceremony at DUKLA, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Obviously, there is no need to introduce Matej Tóth in any special way. He has been a member of the DUKLA Military Sports Centre for 18 years. From both the sportsman's and the management's perspectives, he is thoroughly familiar with the Centre, its current issues and challenges, and ways to improve things. I'm convinced that he brings a wealth of expertise from his sporting career to the DUKLA Centre and that, as a former sportsman and SVK National Team athlete, he will take very good care of our sportsmen and women and their needs and development.” He pointed out that MOD leaders count on more reinforcements for the DUKLA management from the ranks of top sportspeople, including our best slalom canoeist Elena Kaliská.

Expressing his thanks for the Defence Minister's trust in his abilities, Matej Tóth, the future director of the DUKLA Military Sports Centre Banská Bystrica, said: “It is very pleasant for me to take on this position of leadership in this atmosphere. I'm looking forward to our cooperation, I'll do the maximum for the DUKLA Centre and I'll make the best of my knowledge and experience to help our sportspeople and give them the most supportive conditions, because we all are here for them. This is my biggest role and highest goal.”

The head of the MOD also thanked the outgoing director, Col Roman Benčík, who is leaving the Service at his own request, for his dedicated work. “For the past four years, the Centre has moved forward, as evidenced by the numerous successes of our sportspeople. I wish to say a sincere thank you and I am looking forward to cooperating with you as you continue to work within DUKLA structures,” said Mr Naď.

Matej Tóth is a long-time sportsman, Olympic winner at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and World Champion at the 2015 Beijing World Championships in the 50km race walk. On 6 August 2021, he completed his last race walk in Japan's Sapporo, where he announced the end of his sporting career. He won several Sportsman of the Year and Athlete of the Year Awards.