They ended a 16-year longing: A magnificent celebration from Kocaelispor, which promoted to the Süper Lig

Kocaelispor is experiencing the joy of returning to the Süper Lig after 16 years. Following the match played against Esenler Erokspor in Istanbul, the green-and-black players and technical staff arrived in Kocaeli and met with their fans at the Kocaeli City Square.

Arriving at the area on an open-top bus, the team from the Gulf region celebrated their promotion to the Süper Lig by singing anthems and waving flags with the fans.

Speaking during the celebrations, Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş stated that the 16-year wait had come to an end today, adding that this was not a last-minute success.

Thanking those who contributed to the championship, Aktaş said, "Kocaeli will take its place permanently, without thinking about being relegated from the Süper Lig again. By carrying the years-long longing of these fans to the highest point, it will represent our province in the best way possible in the Süper Lig."

Kocaeli Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Büyükakın said, "We believed together, we said we would succeed, and we succeeded. We succeeded thanks to you. Great Kocaelispor fans, you deserved this success, you deserved this trophy. We believed together. We succeeded together. We will succeed again in the Süper Lig, God willing."

Kocaelispor Club President Recep Durul also noted that they dedicate the championship, which they built step by step, to the fans.

Explaining that the history of Kocaelispor is very valuable, Durul said, "I wish God's mercy upon all our elders and pioneers who have passed away and contributed to bringing this club to where it is today. I offer my respects to those who are still alive. It is good that they exist. We are trying to carry their legacy in our city with our people and our fans on the path they paved. We had said that when we took over our Kocaelispor, which has achieved great success in its history after many years of effort, we would make this team a champion and that trophy would come here. That trophy has come here."

Following the speeches, the celebrations concluded with a fireworks display.