Mohamed Salah street honour approved in Trabzon as Turkey town prepares ceremony

The Turkish district of Yomra, in Trabzon, is preparing to name one of its streets after Trabzonspor forward Mohamed Salah after completing the required formalities and receiving approval from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The municipality will now arrange the street signs and set a date for the official opening, which is expected to take place within 20 days.

Yomra mayor Mustafa Biyik told On Spor that the decision was intended to recognise Salah’s importance to the local community and the significance of his presence at Trabzonspor. The Egyptian’s arrival at the club was met with widespread happiness in the area, with supporters enjoying both his performances and the entertainment he has provided on the pitch.

Biyik said the municipality wanted to turn that pride and enthusiasm into a formal tribute by giving the player’s name to a street. He added that Salah’s home being within Yomra’s administrative boundaries had encouraged officials to make the gesture there, allowing local residents to share in the recognition of the club’s star.

Unanimous backing for proposal

The proposal was presented to Yomra’s local council, where it received the support of every member. It was approved unanimously, with no objections recorded, before the municipality began the legal process needed to implement the decision.

Under Turkish regulations, approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required when a street is named after a foreign national. Yomra therefore submitted an official request seeking authorisation to use Mohamed Salah’s name.

Biyik said permission arrived within one week, despite such applications usually taking longer because officials must examine information about the proposed namesake, including their background and history, before reaching a final decision.

He said the rapid response reflected the exceptional nature of the tribute. The decision is now officially approved, and the municipality is preparing to order the signs bearing the Trabzonspor player’s name.

Salah informed of decision

Trabzonspor’s board members informed Salah about the honour, according to Biyik, who said the player was delighted that his name would be permanently associated with a street in the district where he lives.

The chosen road has an additional personal connection for Salah. It is on the route he drives when returning home, meaning he is expected to pass along it almost every day and see the signs carrying his name.

Biyik described the decision as unprecedented for both Yomra and the city of Trabzon. It is the first time a street in the area has been named after a foreign footballer, giving the tribute particular significance for local officials.

The municipality plans to contact Salah and formally invite him to the opening ceremony. Biyik said he hoped the player would be able to attend.

Work will now focus on producing and installing the signs and completing the remaining arrangements, following the official approval received last Friday. The opening is expected within 20 days, marking the area’s appreciation for Salah and his place at Trabzonspor.