TR

President Ersin Tatar receives a delegation from the Turkish Sports Writers’ Association

“The TRNC is working to create the best possible opportunities to support successful athletes.”

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President Ersin Tatar received the Chairman of the Turkish Sports Writers’ Association (TSYD) Oğuz Tongsir and the members of the board together with the Cyprus Turkish Sports Writers’ Association Chairman and their officials.
President Tatar stated that the TRNC, together with Motherland Türkiye, were in deep sorrow due to the loss of life resulting from the devastating earthquakes that occurred last month.
 
“I wish the families patience to cope with the loss of their loved ones. May those who passed away rest in peace,” the President stated.
 
Stating his wish for the “deep wounds that has been created due to the significant loss of life and devastation by the unprecedented disaster as soon as possible,” the President added: “Work is continuing to heal these wounds. Our prayers are for all those who have been affected in the 11 provinces of Türkiye”.
 
Noting that there is an ongoing struggle by the TRNC to end the sports isolation which prevents participation of Turkish Cypriot athletes in many international sports events and tournaments, the President stated: “There is a major injustice faced by Turkish Cypriot sports people and our youth. Despite the many promises by many international actors to end our isolation, none of these have been honoured. Our youth cannot participate in many prominent international sports organisations under their own identity, such as the Olympics, or our football teams unable to even play international friendless. Sports and politics should not be mixed. This is a major injustice faced by the Turkish Cypriot People, who do not deserve in this day and age to be subjected to such restrictions. The time has come for the international community to address this injustice and this is an issue, amongst others, that we are putting forward in many of our international contacts.”
 
President Tatar expressed his gratitude to Türkiye and to important organisations such as the Turkish Sports Writers’ Association, for supporting Turkish Cypriots on the issue of voicing the inhumane isolation they are facing.
 
Pointing to the importance of sports, brotherhood and solidarity for morale and motivation to Turkish Cypriot youth, President Tatar said: “We have successful athletes despite these injustices who are promoting the TRNC, who are participating in the respective Turkish national teams in international tournaments, which is a source of pride for our country.”
 
Chairman of the association Oğuz Tongsir thanked President Tatar for receiving the delegation and expressed that the TSYD are an important organisation with a membership of 2,000 journalists and representatives serving in various parts of Türkiye. He stated that they attribute great importance to the Cyprus Turkish Sports Writers’ Association and that they will continue their cooperation.