“Istanbul will become one of the capitals of sports”

 

Speaking at the opening of the Basketball Development Center, President Erdoğan noted that cities such as Barcelona, Tokyo, Los Angeles and London have turned into global brands as a result of sports investments, and said: “With this magnificent center we are in at the moment, Istanbul will become one of the capitals of not only history, culture and arts, but also sports.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered remarks at the inauguration of the Basketball Development Center in Istanbul.

“We are proud to be inaugurating in Istanbul yet another center that combines the city’s historical and cultural richness with sports. The Basketball Development Center, rising in Zeytinburnu, is not just a sports complex. It is also one of the strongest steps taken to help Istanbul reach the place it deserves on the global sports stage. I wish that this beautiful facility, which makes us proud in every aspect, will be beneficial for our youth, basketball enthusiasts, and our beloved nation,” said the President, adding that cities that are popular globally make a name for themselves not only through culture and history and but also through sports.

Pointing out that many developed countries see sports centers as strategic investments for their prestige and future, President Erdoğan stated that cities such as Barcelona, Tokyo, Los Angeles and London have turned into global brands as a result of sports investments, and that Istanbul, too, will inshallah take its place among these cities.  

“With this magnificent center we are in at the moment, Istanbul will become one of the capitals of not only history, culture and arts, but also sports,” President Erdoğan stressed, noting that Turkish basketball will rapidly move towards its goals with the opening of this center, and that the victories to be achieved here will promote Istanbul and Türkiye as a sports hub on international platforms.