The Cyprus Turkish Football Federation (KTFF) and Near East University will provide healthcare services for football players, referees, and football officials under a sponsorship protocol, during the 2025-2026 season at the Near East University Hospitals.
The Cyprus Turkish Football Federation (KTFF) and Near East University signed a comprehensive sponsorship protocol in healthcare and education. The signing ceremony, held at the Cyprus Car Museum and bringing together all stakeholders in the football world, was well-attended. The sponsorship protocol signed between the two institutions was signed by Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East University, and Hasan Sertoğlu, President of the KTFF.
The sponsorship protocol, covering the 2025-2026 football season, will provide health checks, treatment of injuries that may occur during matches, and physiotherapy and rehabilitation services for football players playing in the AKSA Super League and AKSA First League, as well as referees officiating matches in these leagues, at the Near East University Hospital, Dr. Suat Günsel Kyrenia University Hospital and Near East University Hospital Yeniboğaziçi. Under the protocol, managers of the Turkish Football Federation (KTFF) and football clubs will also receive discounted healthcare services at Near East University Hospital.
As part of the sponsorship agreement signed between the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation and Near East University, football stakeholders and their first-degree relatives will also be provided discounted education at all Near East University and Kyrenia University, as well as at all Near East University schools offering education from elementary to university in Nicosia, Kyrenia, and Yeniboğaziçi.
Following the protocol signing ceremony, KTFF President Hasan Sertoğlu presented Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Near East University Board of Trustees, with a uniform exclusively produced by Puma for the TRNC National Team. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, in turn, presented Hasan Sertoğlu with a gold-leaf print titled “Bellapais,” created by artist Raif Kızıl exclusively for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art.
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “We are delighted to contribute to the development of football in our country and to be the health and education sponsor of the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation.”
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East University, stated that sports hold a strong place in the culture and genes of Near East University, as do science and art. He said, “Our university stands out not only in the scientific world but also with its achievements on the sports field. Today, our museum boasts 595 trophies, including the European Cup we won in women’s basketball, the Turkish league championship, the Presidential Cup, and the Turkish Cup. Behind these achievements lies the importance we place on sports and our strong infrastructure. However, I must state very clearly that for us, the true success in sports is the healthy development of our young people and their safe preparation for the future.”
Emphasizing that the sponsorship protocol they signed with the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation is a result of their commitment to sports, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “We are delighted to contribute to the development of football in our country and to be the health and education sponsor of the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation. The entire infrastructure of Near East University Hospital, Dr. Suat Günsel Kyrenia University Hospital, and Near East University Hospital Yeniboğaziçi is at the service of our football world. With our fully equipped hospitals in Nicosia, Kyrenia, and Yeniboğaziçi, along with our state-of-the-art medical technologies, expert physicians, physiotherapists, and extensive healthcare team, we will provide the highest standards of service to our athletes, referees, and managers. With this protocol, we are providing our athletes with a wide range of services, from routine health checks to emergency treatment for potential injuries, from surgeries to physiotherapy and rehabilitation.”
KTFF President Hasan Sertoğlu: “The idea we have been dreaming of and thinking about for years has been realized with Near East University.”
KTFF President Hasan Sertoğlu emphasized the importance of the sponsorship protocol with Near East University, stating that football is the largest non-governmental organization in the country, serving over 20,000 football players and thousands of coaches, referees, and managers. Sertoğlu continued, “Health is undoubtedly essential for such a large group. Although we have undertaken numerous initiatives in this regard over the years, our dream and idea came to life with Near East University. In this regard, the services that players, referees, and managers will receive from Near East University are of great importance and value.” Sertoğlu emphasized his great satisfaction with the protocol signed with Near East University, saying, “We are delighted to sign this collaboration protocol with Near East University. Let’s hope not to need medical services, however, should we need, the health of our members will be entrusted to Near East Hospitals.”
