Muğlaspor Supporters End 3-Day Hunger Strike

The critical action started by Muğlaspor enthusiasts calling for support for the team mobilized the city protocol. Emirhan Kıbrıslı, President of the 1967 Muğlaspor Supporters Association, and Onur Dinçer, who set up a tent and started a hunger strike at Menteşe Sınırsızlık Square 3 days ago, ended their protest on the third day after receiving promises.

The visit, which took place just 4 days before Muğlaspor's ordinary congress, was a notable development for the green-white community. The supporters' call to take ownership of the club was responded to by both local administration and political representatives.

Ahmet Aras and Kadem Mete Visited the Supporters

Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras and AK Party Muğla Deputy Kadem Mete visited the supporters who were on hunger strike at Sınırsızlık Square. At the critical meeting, the message that Muğlaspor will be supported with all available means was reiterated. After the protocol’s stance of "Muğlaspor is not alone" and emphasis on unity and solidarity, the supporters ended their 3-day hunger strike following the strong promises they received.

Kadem Mete: "This Success Cannot Be Underestimated"

Before the visit, AK Party Muğla Deputy Kadem Mete stated that they held a meeting with the Governor, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras, and club executives at the Muğlaspor Club. He said efforts are ongoing to make the club permanent in the 1st League. Mete emphasized the significant contributions of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality during Muğlaspor's rise to the 1st League and thanked Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras.

Kadem Mete used the following expressions in his statement:

"We were already just in a meeting at the Muğlaspor Club. Together with our Governor, Metropolitan Mayor, and club executives, we are working on how to become permanent in the 1st League. Here, of course, especially when rising to the 1st League, the Metropolitan made very serious contributions. Again, here in front of you, we thank our Metropolitan Mayor Mr. Ahmet Aras very much. Of course, as the city's trustee, the heaviest duty falls on his shoulders. To be successful and permanent in the 1st League, we will continue to give support together with the Metropolitan, the ruling party, and the governorship. But this is not a job only with these resources. There are very serious companies here. I mean, there are companies that have benefited from Muğla’s resources and reached very significant levels. We call them here all together to take ownership of Muğlaspor, to take ownership of the city's team. They can buy suites, season tickets, be sponsors, give advertisements; such expenses can also be shown as tax expenses. So let's invite our businessmen all together from here to take ownership of Muğlaspor as Muğlaspor. Hopefully, they will respond to this call. Therefore, Muğlaspor achieved something in the 1st League that has only been achieved by one team in Turkey until now; it was promoted to the 1st League after 30 years by winning 3 consecutive championships. This is not a success to be underestimated, it is a great success. This success is our joint success but maintaining it is again our duty. We will do our part and we ask other companies to share this success. This success is not something to be thrown onto the street."

Call to Business World for Muğlaspor

Kadem Mete emphasized that it is difficult for Muğlaspor to achieve sustainable success only with the support of public institutions. Addressing large firms operating in Muğla, Mete stated that the business world should take ownership of the club. He noted that companies can contribute to Muğlaspor’s struggle to remain in the 1st League through suite, season ticket, sponsorship, and advertisement support.

Ahmet Aras: "We Will Not Leave This Team Halfway"

Supporting AK Party Muğla Deputy Kadem Mete's call, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras said the strong capital groups in Muğla need to step up. Understanding the supporters' sensitivity, Aras stated that supporters, management, and players put great effort into Muğlaspor’s promotion to the 1st League.

Mayor Aras appealed to the green-white community with the following words:

"We always take ownership of our Muğlaspor. I understand very well the sensitivity of my dear friends. They have put great effort as supporters for this team to reach the 1st League today. Also, all management and our players exerted themselves on the field. We worked together and will continue to work. But as my Deputy said, our effort alone is now insufficient at this level. Therefore, honestly, all of Muğla, the capital groups of Muğla, need to take ownership of this team. In all the teams we have struggled with, there are capital groups that support those teams. It does not just revolve around municipalities, governorate, and our deputies. They support, of course, and we will support. But the real load is carried by the big companies genuinely making money in Muğla, operating in Muğla; those firms that are famous in Turkey or worldwide. We already expect support from them. Our advice to our friends was 'Let's make such a call. From season tickets to suites, from field advertisements to sponsorships, we want everyone to do everything they can to the fullest.' Mr. Menaf's resistance is also somewhat because of this. He says 'Support me. You are already taking ownership, thank you, but I want the city to take ownership.' We are always with Mr. Menaf, always behind him. We will never leave this team halfway."

Emphasis on "City Should Take Ownership" Highlighted

Mayor Aras stated that at the current level of Muğlaspor, support from only the municipality, governorate, and deputies will not be sufficient, and that large companies profiting from Muğla should also support the club. Drawing attention to the importance of support like season tickets, suites, field advertisements, and sponsorships, Aras expressed that Mr. Menaf also expects city support.

Supporters End 3-Day Hunger Strike

Emirhan Kıbrıslı and Onur Dinçer, President of the 1967 Muğlaspor Supporters Association, who were on hunger strike for 3 days at Sınırsızlık Square, ended their action following the visit and promises of support.

Reporter: Aziz Şahin