Dursun Özbek: 'Our team's value is 240 million Euros'

The October ordinary meeting of the Galatasaray Council of Trustees is being held at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park Özhan Canaydın Conference Hall. Speaking at the meeting, Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek said, "With the trust you have placed in us, we are fulfilling everything we promised, down to the last millimeter. We held a council meeting in Kemerburgaz. We are acting based on the authority we received from the general assembly. We are carrying this trust on our shoulders. Please, no one should talk about the Florya land. I am fighting a terrible battle outside. We are doing exactly what we said we would. They say, 'Not a single nail has been driven into Florya.' Everything has its time. We are trying to finish Kemerburgaz as quickly as possible. The construction we are doing here is 14,500 square meters. We are in the process of creating a facility that will be an example to the world. Phase 1 is the phase that carries the burden of the work. We received the permit, started construction, held the tender, finished the rough construction, and have moved on to the finishing works; we have rolled up our sleeves to finish it as soon as possible. All my colleagues are working heart and soul to keep the promises we made to you against all kinds of financial difficulties. After moving Florya to Kemerburgaz, we will start construction in Florya. Support us, we are working for Galatasaray. Didn't we buy 40 decares of land in Florya that didn't belong to us? With a cost of 1 billion 85 million TL, I provided a guarantee, we took out a loan, we paid the money in cash that day, and we bought it. I paid the 1 billion 85 million TL with the club's revenues. The title deed is still with us. I am doing everything necessary to protect Galatasaray's rights. The Büyükçekmece land is a 106-decare plot located in a water collection basin. Because it has remained in a water collection basin for years, not a single nail has been driven into it. It is a beautiful piece of land in a beautiful location. With our application, this place could be converted into a sports area and something could be done," he said.

"Our team's value is 240 million Euros"

Responding to criticisms regarding Sportif AŞ Deputy Chairman Erden Timur, President Özbek said, "Erden Timur was the shirt sponsor for the football team during my previous presidency. Can't a person be very interested in football and follow it closely? If someone is in construction, can't they have another hobby? Why are we interpreting his successful tenure as Deputy Chairman of Sportif AŞ at Galatasaray Sports Club in this way? The expressions he used are extremely accurate. He built a team with a market value of 150 million Euros by spending 30 million Euros on transfer fees. Today, our team's value is 240 million Euros. At the last council meeting, Erden Timur clearly explained that there is a record level of sponsorship in Galatasaray's history. Our sponsorship efforts are continuing. Were we successful in sponsorship last year? No. A large part of our loss comes from there. Think about how much support a team that finished 13th can find. The success that comes with the championship is at a record level, it has never happened in Galatasaray's history," he stated.

"We have a team that makes us proud"

Regarding the debts, Dursun Özbek said, "Do we have a debt of 7.5 billion TL? Yes, we do. When you write down the transfer and salary payments of the team we built, which extend up to 3-4 years, yes, the figure is correct. This team will generate 6.2 billion TL in revenue. If we multiply it by 4 years, assuming we continue to be successful and use the same team, it will bring in 24 billion TL in revenue. We have a team that makes us proud. Last week, all of Turkey was happy," he expressed.

Emphasizing that Galatasaray is said to be in the best condition among the major clubs, Özbek said, "With pride and honor, this is being said everywhere: We go to the Banks Association, and they say, 'Good for you, Galatasaray Sports Club is in the best condition among the major clubs.' Because Galatasaray Sports Club used a loan of 1 billion 85 million TL to buy the Florya land. It had an 18-month maturity. As the 6th month was ending, we deposited 1 billion 85 million TL into the bank and closed the loan," he said.

News Source: 12punto