While Galatasaray, who became the champion for the 25th time in the Super League, was experiencing the joy of a fifth star, Galatasaray Sports Club Board Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Banu Dalaman drew attention to the fact that women's football is still in an amateur status. Dalaman stated that they presented a project to the United Nations with the support of Galatasaray Board Member Emir Aral regarding the development of women's football in Türkiye and the elimination of regional inequalities, and said, "I hope the project will have positive results and Galatasaray will be the pioneer of this transformation."
Galatasaray Sports Club Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Banu Dalaman called on the management and emphasized that women's football in Türkiye should be supported more. “We are celebrating the 25th championship of our A Men's Football Team and we are all experiencing the pride of being the first club in Turkish football history to wear the fifth star. We all saw and watched with pride that the game we reflected on the field throughout the season had a team identity far above the Turkish league,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dalaman, “I am an academic. My studies are focused on women's studies. I have been following the Galatasaray Women's Football Team closely for about three years. On this occasion, I would like to convey my get well wishes to our manager Emir Aral, our technical director Metin Ülgen, who have worked hard in this branch, and I would like to thank the entire technical team. The season we left behind was difficult and full of struggle for them. They put up a great fight both in the league and in the Champions League.”
“THE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IS TRANSFORMING GENDER ROLES”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Banu Dalaman continued her words as follows: “Recently, an article of mine on women’s football was published in a journal ranked high in international academic rankings. In this article, I shared the results of my year-long fieldwork on the Galatasaray Women’s Football Team and the Ağrı Family and Social Policies Women’s Football Team. I observed the multi-layered effects of women’s football, especially in the eastern provinces. I saw that there was a great talent potential in these regions, and that women’s football played a very important role in preventing early marriages, transforming gender roles, and contributing to local development.
“GALATASARAY’S VISION WILL GIVE A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC”
As you know, women's football is still amateur. However, FIFA's guidance and the semi-professionalization target in TEE's strategic plan are opening the door to a transformation in this area. I hope this process progresses quickly and healthily. Therefore, Galatasaray's leadership in the professionalization of women's football will ensure that our club sets an example not only in terms of sports but also in terms of social responsibilities. A Galatasaray vision that does not only look at sports from a men's football perspective, but also implements gender equality in practice, will send a strong message to the entire public.
PROJECT PRESENTED TO THE UN
Within this framework, we are awaiting the results of our application to the United Nations, which we submitted to the United Nations with the support of Mr. Emir Aral, regarding the development of women's football in Türkiye and the elimination of regional inequalities. I hope that this project will yield positive results and that Galatasaray will be the pioneer of this transformation. Our Women's Football Team finished the league in fourth place this season. There are many reasons why this team, which was champion last year and achieved a first in Türkiye in the Champions League and advanced to the last 16, could not repeat the same success this year. One of these is that the transfers were not made on time. I believe that much stronger results can be achieved with the right moves at the right time.
“WE ARE IN A CRITICAL PERIOD FOR THE TEAM”
We are currently in a critical period for the team. Transfers and contract renewals for current players are on the agenda. As far as I know, training will continue in Florya for a while. However, I think some uncertainties need to be resolved here as well.
"I would like to share my belief that Galatasaray will act based on sustainability not only in the financial field but also in all branches, especially in women's football. Investment in women's football will not only mean sporting success but also social development."
