Basketball Federation Holds Press Conference Ahead of Abkhazia Match

The TRNC Basketball Federation held a press conference at the Turkish Cypriot Sports Writers Association (KTSYD) ahead of the 15 November Republic Cup, which is being organized as part of events marking the 43rd founding anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

After a long break, the TRNC A National Men's Basketball Team will return to the court at the A National Team level. Tomorrow at 18:00, they will face the Abkhazia basketball team at the Lefkoşa Atatürk Sports Hall.

Federation President Tahir Topaloğlu, Deputy President Ahmet Şahinsoy, national team coaches Tahir Soyer and Hasan Kasap, and national team captains Hasan Debeş and Hamit Çeliktaşlılar attended the press conference.

Topaloğlu said the score is secondary, and their priority is to fight to the end on the court in the crescent-and-star jersey and to represent the country in the best way possible. Topaloğlu also stated that he had invited the Abkhazian delegation to the TRNC for a large-scale tournament planned for July.

Hasan Debeş said that wearing the national jersey is an important goal for basketball players and expressed their wish for such events to continue. Federation Deputy President Ahmet Şahinsoy announced that they are holding talks with Abkhazia on developing cooperation that would also include youth development teams.