Kosovo 2

 

Bajram Jashanica (KF Ballkani)
vs. Iceland (0:2) | World Cup Qualifier | 2017 in Iceland

My relationship with Kosovar football is a bit of a funny one. When I first learnt about the existence of their national team, I was general secretary of CONIFA and tried to win them over for that organisation, as they were not members of UEFA and FIFA, yet. I had a couple of calls and chats with them, but they ultimately told me that they will soon be admitted to FIFA and thus don't feel CONIFA would be the right place for them. Yet, I remained in touch with their FA general secretary at the time. When I went to Kosovo in 2015, we tried to meet for a coffee, but it sadly did not work out in the end.

Of course, I also asked him for a shirt. But in those early days, that was not an easy ask. The team was changing their shirts every other match and the shirts mostly remained with the players, who were over the moon that Kosovo finally got a national team. But when they finally signed their first proper contract with an equipment partner, Kelme, he got in touch again and said he will get me a shirt. Weeks later, I found this in my mailbox. It came with shorts, too.

I am super grateful to Artan for that. Thank you so much! I am not the biggest fan of having my own name printed on a shirt, but in this case, I do actually like it. It is a super nice gesture and I am occassionally wearing it when doing sport now. A tiny little bit, I am Kosovar now, I guess.