Turkish league suspended after earthquake kills over 2,000

On Monday, Turkey’s sports minister, Mehmet Kasapoglu, decreed the immediate suspension of all sports competitions in the country after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated the nation. The tragedy, which also affected Syria, has already left more than 2,400 dead and thousands missing and injured.

Shortly after the announcement of the stoppage of the Turkish Championship, the country’s main clubs began to mobilize to collect donations and offer shelter to those affected by the earthquake. Galatasaray opened the doors of its gym and is receiving people made homeless by the tragedy.

Our club continues its aid campaign for our citizens affected by the earthquake without stopping.

President Dursun Aydın Özbek: “As Galatasaray, we will do everything to heal the wounds”

👉 https://t.co/UZiA4QqWa3 pic.twitter.com/eDwsVBlolr

— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) February 6, 2023

Fenerbahçe, with Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus and several Brazilian players, such as Willian Arão, and Besiktas also have their doors open to receive and welcome those most in need after the earthquake.

tragedy in sport

The goalkeeper of Malatyaspor, club of the second division of the Turkish Championship, died due to the natural disaster. Eyüp Türkaslan was 28 years old and was found lifeless among the rubble, according to the club’s own publication.

Another affected by the disaster is the Ghanaian athlete Christian Atsu, former Chelsea player and current Hatayspor player, who is among the missing, according to information from the English newspaper. Daily Mail.

already the website Fotomac found that an entire women’s volleyball team was in a building that collapsed with the tremor. In all, 14 Hatay athletes are missing and, according to club officials, there is still no information about the players.