The renewed Taksim Football pitch was put in service on Thursday.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, the Turkish Minister of Sports and Youth Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, who was in the TRNC for a one-day visit and other officials, inspected the pitch.

The importance of the renewing the pitch, which has great sentimental value for the Turkish Cypriot people, and putting it back to use was highlighted in speeches delivered at the event.

Despite the gloomy weather, it was a day of celebration for the Çetinkaya Sports club which will now be able to return to the historic Taksim football pitch following an 8-year hiatus.

Turkish Minister for Sports and Youth Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu who arrived at the grounds to inspect the new pitch was greeted by young players who presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

Accompanying Kasapoğlu was the Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, the Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlun and the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu.

Speaking to reporters, the Turkish minister said that the renewal of the pitch which had been left in the UN buffer zone after the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation was of significant value for the Turkish Cypriot people.

He said that Türkiye will continue its efforts to help the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) become a self-sustaining state.

Also speaking, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel stressed that the renewal of the pitch had been made possible through funding provided by the Republic of Türkiye.

Üstel said that the Greek Cypriot administration could not even tolerate a football pitch that will allow Turkish Cypriot footballers to train.

He added that the pitch had been renewed despite all obstacles and was now put into service to be used for training sessions by Çetinkaya’s Football Club.

Following the speeches, the President of the Çetinkaya Sports Club Süleyman Yemen presented Turkish Minister Kasapoğlu with the team’s jersey.