The Bursa International Sports Festival, hosted by the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, continues to spread the excitement of sports to the city with colorful events. The 'Sister Cities Volleyball Tournament', an important part of the festival, began with a magnificent ceremony with the participation of 8 sister cities from 9 different countries. The opening ceremony, which was also attended by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, once again demonstrated the unifying power of sports and the importance of international friendship.
The Bursa International Sports Festival, which was brought to life under the leadership of the Bursa Governorship and Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, with the cooperation of the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, the Provincial Directorate of National Education, Bursa City Council and Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Sports Club, has been hosting the people of Bursa and their guests with various sports events in 17 districts for over a month. The opening ceremony of the 'Sister Cities Volleyball Tournament' organized within this scope was held at the Fethiye Sports Complex. The ceremony was attended by Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and his wife Seden Bozbey, as well as Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Mehmet Emin Direkçi, Youth and Sports Services Department Head Gökay Azak, Foreign Relations Department Head Pınar Işıkyıldız, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Sports President Muhammet Aydın, Metropolitan Municipality administrators and athletes.
Winds of Friendship Blow with International Participation
The 'Sister Cities Volleyball Tournament', which will take place at the Fethiye Sports Complex between May 17-19, brings together young athletes on an international platform. The sister cities and countries participating in the tournament are listed as follows:
- Kosovo – Pristina
- Finland – Oulu
- Moldova – Cedar Lunga
- Ukraine – Vinnytsia
- Bulgaria – Pleven
- Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo
- Belarus – Mogilev
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – Nicosia
- Slovakia – Košice
Athletes and coaches from these nine sister cities will compete in the spirit of sportsmanship in Bursa and strengthen international friendship ties by engaging in cultural exchange.
President Bozbey Emphasizes Brotherhood and Peace
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the tournament at the Fethiye Sports Complex, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey expressed his great pleasure in hosting all guests from sister cities in Bursa. Stating that the Sports Festival, which Bursa Metropolitan Municipality has prepared at an international level by spreading it to 17 districts, is extremely important, Mayor Bozbey said, “Bursa is a city of culture, agriculture, history and sports. Our sister cities will gain friendship and brotherhood in the competitions they will hold in Bursa. The good relations that athletes will establish among themselves will contribute to world peace and sports. We are extremely happy to host young athletes in our city. They will have the opportunity to get to know Bursa closely during the tournament. I wish you a great time in Bursa. We send greetings from Bursa to the countries you visit. I also congratulate you on May 19, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, presented to the youth by the founder of the Republic of Turkey, the Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.” These meaningful words of President Bozbey emphasized that sports are not only a means of competition, but can also build bridges of friendship and peace by bringing people from different cultures together.
The First Match Started in Friendship and Sportsmanship
Following the speeches, the first match of the tournament took place between the host Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor and the Finnish team Oulu. The competition between the two teams' athletes, in a spirit of friendship and brotherhood, was followed with great interest by the spectators in the stands. The spirit of sportsmanship and fair play displayed throughout the match was a fitting start to the tournament's purpose. Such international sports events allow young people to get to know different cultures, make new friends and communicate with each other using the universal language of sports. This meaningful tournament hosted by Bursa reminds us once again of the importance of sports and brotherhood both locally and internationally.
