Galatasaray Sports Club, a titan of Turkish football, has forged a meaningful partnership with the Sobe Sports Club, an institution lauded as a model for its impactful work in Türkiye. This collaboration, christened “Together1905,” is built on the foundational values of solidarity and sportsmanship, aiming to leverage the power of sport to benefit individuals with autism.
The official signing ceremony took place at the iconic Ali Sami Yen Sports Club Rams Park. Dignitaries present included Galatasaray Sports Club President Dursun Aydın Özbek, Board Secretary General Eray Yazgan, Board Members Ece Bora and Lara Yilmaz, Swimming and Autism Swimming Branches Manager Nükte Ozgur, Sobe Foundation Vice Chairman Targun Polat, Sobe Foundation Chairman Sule Katırcı, and Vice President Lütfi Can Başaran. Following the formalities, a gift exchange underscored the spirit of the new alliance.
Key figures from the agreement shared their insights with Galatasaray TV’s YouTube channel. President Dursun Aydın Özbek emphasized the broader societal implications of this partnership.”The cooperation between Sobe,Konyaspor,and Galatasaray is incredibly important,” Özbek stated. “Even though we are competitors in the Super League, it’s vital that we unite with an institution like Sobe, which is doing such commendable work for society. the beauty of this lies in two clubs coming together for the betterment of our community. We are poised to embark on impactful projects.”
Targun Polat, Deputy Chairman of the Sobe Foundation, expressed profound gratitude. “We extend our sincerest thanks to Galatasaray Sports Club,” Polat remarked. “As the Sobe Foundation, we are the largest autism sports club in Türkiye. This protocol with Galatasaray will undoubtedly propel us forward. I am deeply appreciative of our President’s support.”
Tümosan Konyaspor President Ömer Atiker, also present, conveyed his pride.”I am honored to be a part of this significant protocol,” Atiker said. “I am confident that we will achieve great things together with my esteemed colleagues.”
Galatasaray Board Member Ece Bora articulated the vision behind the initiative,highlighting the potential to positively impact numerous young lives. “Our steps forward are designed to bring smiles to hundreds of children,” Bora declared. “Our relationship with Sobe has been developing for approximately six months, and we’ve been following their work with great admiration. The autism swimming program is especially close to our hearts. The dedication of our coaches, who are together involved in swimming and autism support, is truly inspiring. The collective heart of everyone involved beats with excitement for this endeavor.”
Nükte Özgör, Manager of Galatasaray’s Swimming and Autism Swimming Branch, echoed bora’s sentiments. “As Ece Hanım mentioned,the Galatasaray Autism Swimming Branch is a key focus for us,” Özgör explained.”Over the past year and a half,our goal has been to integrate children with autism more deeply into the world of sports. This agreement signals our commitment to taking significant strides in this direction.”
This landmark agreement between Galatasaray Sports Club and Sobe Sports Club signifies a powerful commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility within the Turkish sporting landscape. By joining forces, thes organizations aim to create a lasting positive impact, demonstrating that the spirit of competition can be powerfully aligned with the pursuit of a more inclusive society.
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