Türkiye’s Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday for official meetings.

Upon his arrival, Minister Bak was received first by TRNC President Ersin Tatar, followed by a meeting with Speaker of Parliament Ziya Öztürkler. During his visit, Bak also attended the opening ceremony of the Güvercinlik Football Field.

During his meeting with Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, President Ersin Tatar highlighted the international isolation imposed on the TRNC, calling it a great injustice, especially for young athletes.

Despite these challenges, he praised TRNC athletes’ achievements, citing Buse Savaşkan’s success at the Paris Olympics, where she competed for Türkiye and earned a significant ranking.

Tatar emphasized Türkiye’s crucial support in providing opportunities for TRNC athletes, particularly through Turkish national teams.

He also stressed the need for increased investment in sports infrastructure to expand access for young people.

Noting the demand for a swimming pool, he expressed hope that one could be established with Türkiye’s support.

Regarding football, Tatar suggested exploring opportunities for TRNC teams in leagues like the Asian Football Confederation. Minister Bak reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting the TRNC in sports, highlighting the importance of university students in the country and plans to expand student housing for those coming from Türkiye.

Minister Osman Aşkın Bak for his part reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to supporting the TRNC in the sports sector.

He highlighted the vital role of university students in the TRNC and expressed Türkiye’s intention to increase student accommodation capacity for those coming from Türkiye to study in the TRNC.

Bak also emphasized Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to integrate the TRNC into international sports platforms and continue the construction of sports facilities in the country.

Later, Minister Bak and his delegation met with TRNC Parliament Speaker Ziya Öztürkler, who emphasized the strengthening effect of Turkish officials’ visits and highlighted Türkiye’s ongoing support for sports infrastructure in the TRNC.

Öztürkler stressed the potential of young Turkish Cypriot athletes and the need for international representation. He also thanked Türkiye for supporting student housing, noting that over 7,000 students reside in Türkiye-backed dormitories.

Bak outlined his visit’s objectives, including engaging with students, inaugurating sports facilities, and promoting TRNC sports internationally.

He highlighted efforts to integrate TRNC federations into global platforms, particularly through the Asian Confederation.

He also revealed that TRNC sports representation would be discussed at the upcoming Organization of Turkic States meeting and hinted at a potential visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Bak later attended the opening of the Güvercinlik Football Field, reinforcing Türkiye-TRNC sports cooperation.

In the evening, he attended an iftar program with students at Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) during his official visit to the TRNC.

The event, held at Lala Mustafa Paşa Sports Hall, was also attended by President Ersin Tatar.