Kayseri wants to host the Armenia game
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Hurriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 13, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Hailed as 'Turkey's most modern football stadium,' the Kayseri Kadir Has Stadium prepares for its premiere. While the stadium is still under construction, the mayor has voiced his will to see Kayseri host an international game, especially the match against Armenia.
Hoping to host a grand premiere to celebrate its new ground, Kayserispor plans to welcome at least one high-profile international football match at the Kadir Has Stadium, particularly the Turkey-Armenia game.
With work soon to be completed on the 32,500-capacity Kadir Has Stadium, Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality and Kayserispor Honorary Chairman Mehmet Özhaseki voiced his will to see some important games in the Central Anatolian city.
Özhaseki first wanted Kayseri to host Turkey’s crucial World Cup Qualifying Group 5 game against Spain on April 1, but that was vetoed by Turkish Football Federation, or TFF, chairman, Mahmut Özgener.
Visiting the stadium last week, Özgener said despite the quality of the stadium, it may not be available in time.
"We have to inform [European football’s governing body] UEFA in advance about the stadium that we are going to play and cannot change it after that," said Özgener. "UEFA will come to make some controls on the pitch, so picking the Kadir Has Stadium for that match will be a risk.
"When the work is done, the stadium will have top priority for hosting international games," added Özgener.
If everything goes to plan, the Kadir Has Stadium’s premiere will be a friendly between Turkey and New Zealand in June.
Özhaseki also wants the Armenia game on Oct. 15 to be played in Kayseri as well. "The world will be watching that game, so the official premiere will be worthy of Turkey’s most modern stadium," said Özhaseki. "The fact that our president was born in Kayseri will add another meaning to that day of tolerance."
The first game between the two national teams caused much debate, as President Abdullah Gül accepted the invitation of Armenian President Serge Sarkissian to watch the game together in Armenia. Despite the political problems between the two countries, the game was played in a peaceful atmosphere, and ended with a 1-0 win to Turkey.
With work soon to be completed on the 32,500-capacity Kadir Has Stadium, Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality and Kayserispor Honorary Chairman Mehmet Özhaseki voiced his will to see some important games in the Central Anatolian city.
Özhaseki first wanted Kayseri to host Turkey’s crucial World Cup Qualifying Group 5 game against Spain on April 1, but that was vetoed by Turkish Football Federation, or TFF, chairman, Mahmut Özgener.
Visiting the stadium last week, Özgener said despite the quality of the stadium, it may not be available in time.
"We have to inform [European football’s governing body] UEFA in advance about the stadium that we are going to play and cannot change it after that," said Özgener. "UEFA will come to make some controls on the pitch, so picking the Kadir Has Stadium for that match will be a risk.
"When the work is done, the stadium will have top priority for hosting international games," added Özgener.
If everything goes to plan, the Kadir Has Stadium’s premiere will be a friendly between Turkey and New Zealand in June.
Özhaseki also wants the Armenia game on Oct. 15 to be played in Kayseri as well. "The world will be watching that game, so the official premiere will be worthy of Turkey’s most modern stadium," said Özhaseki. "The fact that our president was born in Kayseri will add another meaning to that day of tolerance."
The first game between the two national teams caused much debate, as President Abdullah Gül accepted the invitation of Armenian President Serge Sarkissian to watch the game together in Armenia. Despite the political problems between the two countries, the game was played in a peaceful atmosphere, and ended with a 1-0 win to Turkey.