25th Annual Naci Talat Astroturf Moment Football Tournament Kicks Off
25th Annual Naci Talat Carpet Field Moment Football Tournament Kicks Off
The Gonyeli Sports Club Carpet Field was buzzing with excitement last night as the 25th edition of the Traditional Naci Talat Carpet Field Moment Football Tournament commenced. This highly anticipated event is organized every year by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Gonyeli Ocak Organization.
Officials and representatives from various political parties, including the CTP General Secretary Asım Akansoy, CTP Nicosia deputy, Naci Talat Usar’s daughter Sıla Usar İncirli, and AKEL representatives from Southern Cyprus, attended the opening ceremony, as announced by the CTP.
The tournament’s opening match featured the women’s teams of Doğan Türk Union (DTB) and Küçük Kaymaklı. Sıla Usar İncirli and Asım Akansoy delivered the opening speeches to kick off the event. Following the exciting first match, other teams participated in thrilling matches throughout the tournament.
Sıla Usar İncirli, daughter of the former CTP Secretary General Naci Talat Usar, expressed the significant impact of sports on global harmony and social peace in her opening speech. She shared that although she was unable to actively participate in sports due to an unfortunate accident, she has a deep appreciation for various sporting disciplines. İncirli revealed that her father closely follows local team matches on the field and enjoys watching prestigious events like the Olympics and the World Cup on television.
Highlighting her father’s commitment to fair play, İncirli remarked, “Despite facing numerous ‘unsportsmanlike’ actions throughout his political career, he always maintained his integrity, embracing everyone with love and humanity in his heart.”
Drawing anecdotes from her father’s political legacy, Sıla Usar İncirli stated that Naci Talat’s political agenda aimed to enhance the welfare, happiness, justice, democracy, and peace of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Acknowledging her father’s unparalleled determination in the face of adversity, İncirli expressed her gratitude for the organization of the now traditional Naci Talat Astroturf Football Memorial Tournament. This tournament, organized by the Gonyeli Ocak Organization for the 25th time, pays homage to her father’s legacy. İncirli extended her thanks to the Gonyeli Ocak Organization and all participating teams.
Underlining the significance of gender equality in sports, İncirli mentioned that the opening exhibition match featured women’s football teams from Doğan Turkish Union, hailing from Limassol, and Küçük Kaymaklı, representing the largest region of Nicosia. She emphasized that establishing gender equality in sports is of utmost importance. İncirli concluded by saying, “Together with sports, which symbolize the most beautiful form of human struggle, we remember Naci Talat with yearning.”
CTP Secretary General Asım Akansoy reiterated their responsibility to keep the name and legacy of Naci Talat alive. Describing Naci Talat as a unifying figure in society, Akansoy emphasized his commitment to justice, development, and peace. He stated, “Naci Talat represents the fight for social existence.”
Akansoy also shared that AKEL officials attended the opening ceremony and expressed their desire to participate in next year’s tournament with a few teams. He expressed his happiness regarding this collaboration between parties.
The 25th Annual Naci Talat Carpet Field Moment Football Tournament promises to be a thrilling celebration of sportsmanship and unity. As teams compete on the field, they honor the legacy of Naci Talat, a figure who remains an inspiration to all.
