Near East University Women’s Basketball Team merged with Basketball Developer Association (BGD). This merger will pave the way to great accomplishments for both TRNC basketball and Turkish Basketball.
Near East University and Basketball Developer Association (BGD), teams playing in Turkish Women’s Basketball League, have decided to merge under the name of Near East University BGD. With this merger, both teams, who have made very substantial investments in Turkish Women’s Basketball League, have taken the first step of walking together towards the common goal to lift a trophy particularly in Europe.
The new entity that registered as Near East University Basketball Developer Association was introduced with a press conference held in Grand Library Hall 4
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University, NEU Board of Trustees Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel, BGD President Işık Eyigören, NEU Board of Trustees Deputy Chairman Asst. Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan, NEU Sports Office Director Hakan Atamtürk, Lawyer Salim Baki, General Manager Murat Tümer, and Deputy General Manager Erhan Ayaz participated in the press conference.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel: We are aware of the important role of art and sports as extracurricular activities in young people’s future
Addressing to press member, NEU Board of Trustees Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel delivered brief information about Near East University and highlighted their commitment to providing contributions to young people by continuing to invest in education, art, sports and other social and cultural activities as well. “Near East University has left its mark on many accomplishments since its establishment 27 years ago. Today, with its 16 faculties, 188 departments and students from 104 countries across the world, Near East University has become the leading gear of higher education in Cyprus which is nominated as an island of universities. With its accomplishments, Near East University stands forefront as a leading educational institution that has the highest reputation at international level. Our Sports Office is the biggest sports facility of TRNC and carry out sports activities with many athletes in various branches” said he.
Touching upon the significance of merging with BGD, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel delivered information regarding the issue. “Our NEU Women’s Basketball Team competed in Turkish Women’s Basketball Second League last year. This year, we competed in Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League, which is one of the toughest basketball leagues of the world. The coming season will be our third year playing basketball in Turkey. Considering our common goals, we have signed an agreement and merged with BGD as a new single body called Near East University Basketball Developer Association Sports Club. We hope, this merger will provide contribution to women basketball and pave the way for our women players to achieve worldwide success” said he.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel: In order not to miss out any success, we will not restrict the budget
Underlining EuroCup Championship as their main goal, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel stated that they would not impose restriction on the budget in order not to miss out any success. “Our collaboration with BGD is not a short-run one; I can say that this collaboration will last from here to eternity like catholic marriages. In addition to the investments in superstructure, we will carry on systematic infrastructural works. Being aware of the importance of basic physical structures and facilities for our basketball, we will be investing in the future of Turkish Basketball by actualizing very extensive works across the country and in the neighboring geography. Thus, as a single new entity, we will represent Turkish basketball in the best and most successful manner. I would like to extend my appreciations to all of you for saving your precious time and participating in our press conference” noted he.
Işık Eyigüngör: Where ideas meet, great things happen, when ideas meet ideas in sports, success rises
Addressing to press members, BGD President Işık Eyigüngör stated that Basketball Developer Association was established on May 15, 2012 by the initiative of 15 businessmen in order to contribute to Turkish Women’s Basketball. “Realizing that we share the same thoughts with Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel, we have decided to merge our forces in order to steer the wheel towards the world platform for Turkish women’s basketball. This merger will pave the way for Near East University BGD to compete in EuroCup and Euroleague” said he.
Işık Eyigüngör: We will exert effort with all our might for Near East University to play its matches in TRNC.
Touching upon that the new entity will play its matches in Istanbul for the nonce; Eyigüngör underlined the significance of playing the home matches in
TRNC as well. “We know how valuable for Turkish Cypriots to see this team playing their matches in TRNC. We have a Kosovo model in hand. Taking Kosovo model as a starting point, we will exert effort with all our might to play our matches in TRNC. Within this context, we have a number of contacts with FIBA. However, we also know that this process should progress step by step” noted he.
At the end of the press conference, a souvenir photograph was taken with participants including representatives of Turkish sports media, sportswriters and press members.