The independence of Kosovar football - the story of Skënder Selman

He opened the door of the Flamurtari stadium after almost 30 years. He did this on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the independence of Kosovar football. It was in this football arena in the capital that the first independent football match of Kosovo between Flamurtar and Pristina was played in 1991.

Skënder Selmani, a member of the first Presidency of the Football Federation of Kosovo and a major contributor to Kosovar football in the early nineties, speaks about that glorious period.

"I am excited, I am coming here after almost 30 years. When I entered the door, my eyes filled with tears. I came to the football field where the new era of football independence began, in this field and in all football fields in Kosovo. The stadium was full, about 4-5 thousand spectators. There was also some kind of fear that the murderous Serbian police are entering the first match. But when something good starts, luck catches up with you. Eyes were on the door, don't let the savages enter. Luck follows the strong. Everything hindered them, but we did not stop and succeeded", Selmani begins his emotional confession.

Selmani says for KOHA that the sacrifice was great at that time.

"There have been beatings and murders. Some of the players have been killed. Terrible things have happened, but we have not stopped. The judges told me that we are referring to our country and this has motivated us a lot, as I have told them that they must be careful, because the risk was great. We have given the last morsel and started not to save anything. Ilaz Spahiu, the referee, was beaten a lot, but so beaten and exhausted he went and refereed. He told him at home, take care of the children, because he didn't know if he would come back," says Selmani.

also Sports December 13, 2022 Skënder Selmani, a contributor to the independence period of football, died

According to him, many sponsors have sold land and cattle to keep football alive.

Selmani claims that the players and coaches were paid by some of the clubs. According to him, the salaries were modest.

"I can freely say that up to 60 percent of the players have been compensated with modest amounts by the sponsors of the clubs, but for the sweat that the players have poured, they have been sufficient and it has been sufficient from the side of the sponsors as well. It happened that the sponsor for the next match sold something, sold land and cattle, and no game was left unfulfilled. The police came in and stopped the game. The players were scattered, but then they organized themselves and played the match", Mitrovicasi emphasizes.

Sponsors

According to Selman, all FFK projects at that time were covered by three people.

"All the financial projects of the Football Federation of Kosovo at that time were carried out by me, Skënder Selmani, the vice-president Gafurr Kabashi and by the member of the presidency, Enver Nuredini. We also had several sponsors who helped as much as they could".

I mention the names of some people who, according to Selmani, have given thousands of marks to Kosovo football. But, according to him, they have been forgotten by the FFK and the state.

"Arbon Desku in Dukagjin. I'm talking about 500 thousand marks and more that they gave him for football at that time. Galani of Peja, Bezi, FotoFari of Gjilan, Shukri Sulejmani, Xhavit Alaj of Mitrovica, Feka e Raifi, the Hajra brothers from Minatori, the Getoari brothers from Prizeni, Naim Ramadani in Besëlidhe, Kosovo and Vushtrri, Union of Shipoli, Ertan Xhihiqi, Refik Hoti of Electroeconomics. I am sorry if I have forgotten anyone as I am not remembering them all, but their contribution has been great. They sold land and everything to keep football alive. The state never took care of them, and many of them have not even been decorated with an acknowledgment," complains Selmani.

Selmani, who was also the vice president of the Association of Judges, asks that the state not forget that glorious time. His biggest concern is that someone is twisting history. He seeks public debate with the authors of some monographs.

"The biggest tragedy is that some people who were there at that time have started to distort history. You don't live with the past, but if you don't remember the past as you should, you will never have a future. History has been distorted by individuals and on this issue I appeal to organize a debate with the authors of the last monograph as not only I, but also many others disagree. We have facts", he added.

Selmani says that Fadil Vokrri had honored them with gratitude, while the current leaders, according to him, have never invited the members of the first Presidency.

Selmani criticizes the FFK.

"Those offices where they are, were formed in 1991. The foundations were opened that year. They don't have it with a cork. Or let a referendum be held and let them declare him a kingdom. Can you believe that for 20 years after the war, we still haven't been invited to coffee. Some have been invited who have been there since the first day and who are also privileged. Some were privileged with posts and tickets, but they were not members of the first Presidency. I have nothing personal against Agim Ademi and Eroll Salihu, but the reforms needed to happen long ago. Agim Ademi should do all the reforms and he should also be saluted", declared Selmani.

also Sports 1 January 2022 "Stadium Boys"

Important moments

According to him, for the first time Kosovo applied for admission to UEFA in 1992.

He tells a case of how Ardian Koznik had risked his career to wear the shirt of Kosovo in the match against Albania in 1993.

"Ardian Koznik came and played for Kosovo in the match against Albania. It was part of Croatia. As the chairman of the organizational council, I went ahead and waited for him. I said good to see you and thank you for coming! I told him how we can compensate your expenses, and he said, I wanted to say something else but I'm not saying it. He said I am Ardian Koznik from Kosovo and if they give me 500 sentences, I am from Kosovo", says Selmani.

Selmani was the chairman of the organizing council of the first two matches of Kosovo, in 1992 against Shkëndija, as well as in 1993 against Albania. He reveals how everyone cried when the national anthem was sung in Tetovo.

"The emotions were great, there were tears of joy. The national anthem was sung and also the first car that led the delegation to Macedonia was with the national flag. I don't know why someone deleted those pictures. There were 10 thousand spectators in the stadium. There were attempts for Kosovo to present itself as a club, but in the end it played as Kosovo".

He says that he faced a problem in Albania, which he avoided.

"Albania was playing against Ireland in three days. It came as a proposal to play with sponsor jerseys like Kosova Reisen. We did not agree, the vice president reacted harshly. I got very stressed and they took me to the hospital. We did not accept and went out and played the match. Albania played with white jerseys, while we played with red and black jerseys".

Selmani claims that in Tirana before the match against Albania in 1993, the Kosovo team was welcomed by the commander Adem Jashari with his friends.

"In front of the 'Selman Stermasi' stadium in 1993 in Tirana, Adem Jashari and his group welcomed us and congratulated us. Some have days and some don't, but it was a great joy", declared Selmani.

Selmani, who also held the position of chairman of the racing council at that time, says that he was threatened with his life after the writings he made on his "Facebook" profile.

"All the criticisms I have given, all with facts and documents. I have posted the writings and they are presented. They threatened me and wrote to me that once again I criticize, we have to put the children in sacks. I have all of them and I have reported them to the justice authorities", emphasizes Selmani.

"I want to thank the late chairman Agim Byqyti who was an emblem of football, the vice-chairmen Gafurr Kabashi and Hamdi Tovërlanin, the members of the presidency, Bajram Bardhi, Xhafer Morina, Ferat Qorri, Bajram Zeqiri, Bedri Hamza, Jakup Berisha, Enver Nuredini and Beqir Aliu. The secretary was Sejdi Mërkoja, but he was not a member of the presidency. Ajet Shosholli was a selector of Kosovo, but not a member of the presidency, Shinasi Berisha was the president of the Association of Judges, but not a member of the presidency. These three people participated in the meeting, but they were not members of the presidency. It was the decision of the presidency that they be present."

also Sports 13th of 2021 The 30th anniversary of football independence is marked

In the end, Skënder Selmani emphasizes that he would like the organization of the 30th anniversary of the independence of Kosovar football to be done by the old leadership in cooperation with the FFK.

Selmani lives in Germany, but is active with posts on social networks regarding developments in Kosovar football. On occasion, there have been clashes with different football managers.