Fatih Municipality Received Award from President Erdoğan

In Social Projects Contest organized by AK Party (The Justice and Development Party) Headquarters Directorate of Local Governments, Fatih Municipality received an award with its ‘Africa Friendship Sports Project’.

Fatih Municipality received an award with its ‘Africa Friendship Sports Project’ at Social Projects Contest organized by AK Party Headquarters Directorate of Local Governments.

At Mayors Discussion Meeting held at Ankara Chamber of Commerce Convention and Exhibition Centre with participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, award ceremony of Local Governments Project Contest was also organized. The mayors that rank at the top in the contest were awarded by the President Erdoğan. Fatih Municipality received an award in Social Projects category with its ‘Africa Friendship Sports Project’. At the completion of the program, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a souvenir photo taken with ‘Fatih Municipality Africa Friendship Sports’ team.

AFRICA FRIENDSHIP SPORTS

Fatih Municipality Africa Friendship Sports Team was established in 2011 when many African-origin young people residing in Fatih wanted to use Sports Facilities of Fatih Municipality with the understanding of “Sports is Friendship and Solidarity” that is the common language of all the people in the world. The project that was started with 12 people grew to African Friendship Cup with 16 teams from 16 countries. Africa Friendship Sports team is composed of 25+5 a total of 30 football players from Cameroon, Nigeria, Zambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Congo, Gambia, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, New Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Republic of Congo and Somalia. They also have a trainer. Fatih Mayor described their targets regarding this effort for which foundations were laid in 2011 as such: “Our target is to introduce football players at Africa Friendship Sports Football Team with our football circles and complete their incomplete dreams. The African young people started the road with the promise that they would play in Turkish Super League but were tricked by football merchants will ill intentions and most of them were just left at the Beyazıt Square. When we became aware of these football player young men from Africa who dedicated their lives to football and left their countries to that aim, we took it upon ourselves and as a social responsibility project we wanted to make their dreams come true. With African Cup tournament that we have been organizing for 6 years, we aimed to introduce these football players from Africa to global football managers. Until now 41 football players were transferred to various teams.” Well-known names of football world such as Rüştü Reçber, Saidou, Necip Uysal, and Pascal Nouma participated in African Cup opening program for support.