President Erdoğan cites 'Arda Güler' as an example: 'We must undergo a change in mentality'

Erdoğan made significant statements at the opening of the Başakşehir Football Academy and Cup Square. Stating, "We must trust our youth and never give up on investing in their future," Erdoğan said that Arda Güler is a great example.

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made important remarks at the Başakşehir Football Academy and Cup Square Opening Ceremony:

-With the commissioning of the football academy, Başakşehir's trajectory will rise even further. Başakşehir Football Club has achieved rare successes. It has written its name among the giants of Turkish football. It played in the Turkish Cup final twice and represented our country in international tournaments. 

-I am a President who was involved in sports during my youth and still exercises regularly today. I attach importance to increasing our country's success in sports in every field. I have taken pride in the success of our clubs. We have tried to stand by our clubs, and we will maintain our fair approach. 

-I wish all our teams success in the 2024-25 season. I know that all our clubs will provide a football recital to our nation, whose hearts are filled with a love for football, through the matches they will play. The entry of hostility, hooliganism, fighting, and ideology into football harms the spirit of sports. Of course, everyone has a team they support. 

-We need the unifying, integrating, and bond-strengthening role of sports much more these days. We want our athletes, who are followed with interest by millions, to act responsibly and be role models for society and our youth. 

-Our football community is the closest witness to the strong support we have provided to Turkish sports over the last 22 years. We have completely renewed our country's sports infrastructure. One of the fundamental problems was the lack of stadiums. As soon as we took office in 2002, we rolled up our sleeves to solve this problem. We completed the work on 38 stadiums, including the Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium.

-We increased our number of stadiums from 277 to 346. We increased the number of football fields from 595 to 1365, a 2.5-fold increase. The number of sports halls, which was 372, rose to 904 with a 3-fold increase. In 2002, there were 9 youth centers; today, we serve our children with 508 youth centers. We have reached 4421 sports facilities. We have equipped every corner of Turkey with sports areas. We have provided significant income to our clubs through Spor Toto. 

-With the Banks Association agreement, we ensured that our clubs could maintain their financial sustainability. The point that anyone who puts their hand on their conscience will admit is this: our government is the government that has provided the strongest support to every branch of sports throughout our Republican history. 

-In addition to the branches where we are historically strong, our athletes are also showing success in areas where we have had limited presence for many years. We are aware that there is still distance we need to cover. 

-For our successes to be permanent, we must not only work hard but also undergo a change in mentality. Today, football has ceased to be just a competition played on the field. There is the reality that we are facing a structure far beyond the conditions of 10 years ago, and we must adapt the country's football accordingly. The most important issue we must address with determination is financial issues. Turkish football fans are self-sacrificing; they are a fan group that fulfills its duty in terms of supporting their team.

-We must trust our youth and never give up on investing in their future. Arda Güler's success has been a great example. It has revealed the importance of infrastructure. 

News Source: 12punto