He has managed to stay smoke-free for 10 years thanks to Fenerbahçe

Sabah newspaper columnist Yavuz Donat shared details from a brief conversation he had with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel in his hometown of Manisa.

In a conversation focused more on the lesser-known aspects of Özel rather than politics, the most prominent part was his relationship with the team he supports. Here are some details from that conversation:

·        (In response to the question 'Do you drive?') "During the holiday... I made my official visits with the official car... Cemetery visit... Governor's office visit and holiday greetings... Then I got out of the official car... I got into my own car... My wife and I went to Dikili... To my parents'... Then to Bursa, to my in-laws'. My wife and I drove the car... We took turns... But... The security detail gets very upset because we manage to slip away from them."

·        "I have examined the TOGG, but I haven't gotten in and driven it yet."

HE TRUSTS ALİ KOÇ

·        (In response to the question of how he became a Fenerbahçe fan) "I was a child... 6 or 7 years old."  In Izmir... The Navy Cup match was being played... My uncle took us too... We went with my brother Barış... He was only 3 years old. We watched the Izmirspor-Fenerbahçe match... Fenerbahçe was magnificent... I have been a Fenerbahçe fan ever since that day."

·        (In response to the question of whether he ever smoked) "I quit 10 years ago. When I was quitting smoking, I said to myself... Özgür, quit this smoking... If you miss it too much, you can light a cigarette when Fenerbahçe is doing a championship victory lap... But... For 10 years, neither a championship has been fated, nor a single cigarette."

·        (In response to the question, "How is Fenerbahçe? President Ali Koç has been unable to experience a championship... What will Fenerbahçe do this season?") "Jose Mourinho is a very successful coach... He has been successful at every club he has gone to... It is the right choice. Ali Koç has left behind the inexperience, the troubled processes, and the difficulties... I think Mr. Ali and Fenerbahçe will have a very good season. Besides, it is in the nature of the Koç family... They do not leave a job unfinished... From their grandfather Vehbi Koç onwards, they are people who have succeeded in every task they have undertaken. Fenerbahçe could experience its golden age this season."