TR

President Ersin Tatar receives the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu and his accompanying delegation

“Youth and sports are very important to eternise and strengthen in these lands”

President Ersin Tatar received the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu and his accompanying delegation, who came to the TRNC for an official one-day visit.

Kasapoğlu was accompanied by Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu.

In his speech at the meeting, President Ersin Tatar expressed his pleasure of seeing Kasapoğlu and the accompanying delegation in the TRNC and stated that they attach great importance to youth and sports. President Tatar said that Çetinkaya with Taksim field was one of the first clubs of the Turkish Cypriot people, where great struggles were given, and noted its historical importance for Turkish Cypriots as being the place where TMT was founded as well as the football.

Expressing his belief that the opening of the Taksim field will greatly contribute to Turkish Cypriot football, President Tatar reminded that the Turkish Cypriot people and youth are still exposed to some unfair embargoes and isolations.

Recalling the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s speech at the 77th General Assembly of the UN in New York, where he emphasised that the obstacles, restrictions and embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people are a form of persecution and that this should be terminated. President Tatar extended his thanks to the Republic of Türkiye for the close attention they have been given.

Pointing out the importance of meeting the youth and athletes of the country with world sports and Olympics through the national teams of the Republic of Türkiye, President Tatar noted that this is the gateway for the Turkish Cypriot youth.

Mentioning that there are 33 other federations in the TRNC apart from the football federation, President Tatar stated that all kinds of sports are practiced in the country and that there are great talents, and that these talents can participate in some of the competitions in the world, while it is not possible for them to participate in all of them.

Stating that the families of the young people, together with their coaches, spend efforts, break the embargoes, participate in the competitions and display the TRNC flag wherever they go, President Tatar noted that these young people communicate the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people wherever they went.

One of the national swimmers Doğukan Ulaç successfully went to Greece, won the competition and unfurled the TRNC flag in Greece, President Tatar explained. He congratulated him once again and noted that contributions of Türkiye are very important for such children in the country.

Pointing out that there are great needs in terms of infrastructure and facilities, President Tatar said “It will be a hope for our youth to complete these faster with your support. Lifting the embargo and isolation and your support is important for young people to look to the future with confidence.”

Noting the importance of protecting youth and sports, President Tatar emphasised that youth and sports are very important in order to keep eternise and strengthen in these lands.

Expressing his belief that being an observer member of the Organization of Turkish States will open new doors for Turkish Cypriots, President Ersin Tatar wished that with this status, young people could find a place in new events, competitions and represent the TRNC with its constitutional name.

Kasapoğlu: "I am a candidate for the National Athlete Scholarship"

In his speech at the meeting, Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu thanked President Tatar for welcoming him and said that he was on the island today to work with universities for the national athlete scholarship. Pointing out that the studies initiated in the Republic of Türkiye on this issue were carried out very successfully, Kasapoğlu noted that universities in the TRNC will now be included in this programme.

Noting that academically successful athletes will no longer be in a dilemma, and young people will be able to pursue their dreams while doing sports, Kasapoğlu stated that they will take a very serious initiative in this regard.

Saying that they will also conduct inspections at the Çetinkaya field, the process of which has been completed today, Kasapoğlu noted that in the studies carried out jointly with the TRNC, sports is a very important field like youth, and in this sense, the projects are now in the implementation phases.