Bunjaki proposes to Përparim Rama that a street in Pristina be named after the former UEFA president

Kosovo’s former national football team coach and one of the initiators of efforts to internationalize Kosovo football, Albert Bunjaki, made an interesting and meaningful proposal on Sunday during a live appearance on the VAR program on Tëvë 1 to honor a great friend of local football.

During the post-war period, when the Football Federation of Kosovo was making efforts to join UEFA and FIFA, Bunjaki, as a football coach in Sweden and given his close ties with Swedish football officials and, through his connections, with UEFA and former President Lennart Johansson, was the key figure in mediating talks between UEFA and the FFK.

In a letter, he proposed to the Mayor of the Municipality of Pristina, Përparim Rama, that Mr. Johansson’s legacy be honored and that one of Pristina’s streets, near the “Fadil Vokrri” Stadium, be named after the now-deceased UEFA president.

According to Bunjaki, this would express gratitude to Johansson, whom he described as “among the first to officially raise the issue of Kosovo at the highest levels of European football, at a time when Kosovo was still far from international recognition in sport”.

On the 10th anniversary of Kosovo’s admission to UEFA and FIFA, the VAR program on Tëvë1 devoted its coverage to this date, 3 May 2016, when Kosovo was accepted as a full member at the UEFA Congress in Budapest. Bunjaki, former FFK Secretary General Eroll Salihu, and former FFK Vice-President Haki Demolli were guests on Sunday’s program.

Below is Bunjaki’s proposal and full letter:

Dear Mayor of the Municipality of Pristina, Mr. Përparim Rama,

I am writing to you with deep respect to present a proposal that I believe has particular historical, sporting, and symbolic significance for the city of Pristina and the Republic of Kosovo.

This concerns honoring the legacy of Mr. Lennart Johansson, former president of UEFA, by naming a street in our capital after him: “Lennart Johansson Street.”

Mr. Johansson was one of the most important figures in European football, but for us in Kosovo he represents much more than that. During his term as UEFA president, he was among the first to officially raise the issue of Kosovo at the highest levels of European football. At a time when Kosovo was still far from international recognition in sport, his courage and vision helped pave the way for our inclusion and acceptance into the European football family.

This act was not only sporting in nature, but also profoundly humane and visionary. It showed that football can be a bridge between nations and a voice for justice and inclusion.

Naming a street in Pristina after him would be an act of gratitude and institutional respect for a great friend of Kosovo. At the same time, it would serve as an inspiration to the younger generations, reminding them of the importance of leadership, courage, and international support at key moments in our history.

I am convinced that, under your leadership, Pristina has consistently demonstrated a willingness to honor figures who have contributed to Kosovo’s development and recognition on the international stage. In this spirit, I believe this proposal deserves serious consideration.

Thank you for your time and attention, and I hope this initiative will receive your support.

With the highest respect,

Albert Bunjaki