MUĞLASPOR opened its second football school in the Köyceğiz district, aiming to train future footballers and strengthen the city's sports infrastructure.
Köyceğiz Muğlaspor Football School, Muğlaspor's second football school, was inaugurated with a ceremony. The opening of the football school, which accepts children born between 2015 and 2021, was attended by Köyceğiz District Governor Mert Kumcu, Köyceğiz Mayor Ali Erdoğan, Muğlaspor Club President Menaf Kıyanç, representatives of non-governmental organizations, parents, and athletes.
Serkan Samet, Coach of Köyceğiz Muğlaspor Football School, stated that there was great effort and sacrifice behind the established structure. Samet, who noted that they have brought many athletes to the youth academies of professional clubs to date, said:
"Since the day we were founded, we have brought many of our athletes to the youth academies of numerous professional teams, especially our own Muğlaspor. These figures are not just statistics for us. Behind each of these figures lies effort, sacrifice, and thousands of training sessions. There are away matches played despite all difficulties, and most importantly, there are the dreams of our children. Today, we are proud to bring this experience and knowledge to Köyceğiz under the umbrella of our city's biggest football brand, Muğlaspor."
'WE MUST PRODUCE TO BUILD TOMORROW'
Muğlaspor Club President Menaf Kıyanç also drew attention to the importance of infrastructure and local club affiliation, stating that there should be unity for Muğla's common values. Kıyanç, expressing that clubs cannot survive long in a system where footballers are not trained, used the following statements:
"This is very important for our future. I have repeatedly stated that factories cannot survive where there is no production of footballers, who are the raw material of football teams. That is why I am someone who believes that Muğla needs to unite and come together for its common values, and I insistently express this. It is very valuable in terms of ensuring that our children are more ethical, develop a culture of struggling together, help each other, and act with national consciousness. Sports are an incredibly unifying force."
Köyceğiz Mayor Ali Erdoğan, on the other hand, stated that they would always support sports and youth in the district. Erdoğan, hoping that the children trained at the football school would compete in higher leagues with the Muğlaspor jersey in the future, said: "With Muğlaspor's current situation, we have all seen that it can now reach a more advanced point. Hopefully, our children here will be trained from the ground up to play in the 1st League and Super Leagues for Muğlaspor. First, that team from below must be trained for the ones above to be beneficial. We will also fully assist Muğlaspor's infrastructure and sports school in this regard. We will do everything in our power to beautify the field, meet the needs of our friends, and address any shortcomings in transportation or other areas. The important thing is for sports to win, for our children to win."
Köyceğiz District Governor Mert Kumcu also expressed his satisfaction with Muğlaspor's achievements, stating that the start of infrastructure activities in the district was a source of pride for Köyceğiz. Kumcu, noting that over 100 athletes are involved in the football school, said:
"The fact that our Muğlaspor's infrastructure is in our district for the first time, starting in our district, is a special source of pride for us, for Köyceğiz. Seeing over 100 of our young footballers and athletes here, seeing the light in their eyes, has made us even prouder. I sincerely wish them all success. Football is discipline, Fair Play, unity, brotherhood, and a spirit of struggle. Therefore, the struggles of our Muğlaspor and Bodrumspor in the 1st League in our province have also been a special source of pride for us."
Following the speeches, specially prepared Muğlaspor jerseys were presented to the protocol members by Muğlaspor Club for their contributions and support to sports in the district. After the jersey presentation, the protocol members and athletes moved to the green field. The Köyceğiz Muğlaspor Football School was officially opened with the first kick made jointly by Köyceğiz District Governor Mert Kumcu, Köyceğiz Mayor Ali Erdoğan