By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Today in Istanbul on the side of the ECA Board and ECA Shareholders meetings, Euroleague Basketball celebrated the 15th anniversary of its founding under a private organizational model. Eurohoops was there as the Euroleague is looking at this past, while preparing for the future.
As Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President and CEO said: “We always like looking ahead and facing new challenges to grow, but today, since we are celebrating our 15th anniversary, we would like to spend a little time looking back, because we are proud of the amazing job that our clubs and leagues have done over this time. Far from having a nostalgic view or for self-complacency, we only look back to learn from our mistakes and success, and to get the needed strength to stride into the future”.
Temel Kotil, Turkish Airlines Vice-Chairman & CEO, revealed that he is a Fenerbahce fan:”Thank you very much for having the 15th anniversary of the Euroleague in Istanbul. Also, all the best for the next 15 years. Also thanks to Fenerbahce for being in the Final Four. I personally pray for all the teams, for their success, but I will pray extra for Fenerbahce. As an airline business, we are very similar. And our teams, when they are serving on the plane, they only worry about the feeling of the passengers. They are our boss and we approach them that way. So we’re seeing here that sports and the airline business are very similar. In this way we are honored to sponsor for five years until now the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and in the coming five years we continue, from today until 2020″.
The host, Zeljko Obradovic coach of Fenerbahce Ulker added: “It’s great have all of you in our house. It’s a good thing to celebrate the past, but I also think that the future is a thing to consider. I came here because they told me that all the games would be full of fans and I am very happy because it does happen in all Euroleague games. The future is very simple: work hard from our side, and don’t forget that the most important part of this organization are our players. Thank you.”
And Theodoros Papaloukas, invited as a Euroleague Basketball Legend, added: “It’s important to have partners this size that can help you improve, and also the clubs who are trying to increase the level of the game. Basketball is changing every day, improving, getting better, and that’s why we understand the commitment of the fans. You can tell by the numbers, that people are getting the Euroleague a little more, and that’s very important because that’s making something different. The future will be difficult for everybody, but that makes it more interesting”.