By Semih Tuna/ info@eurohoops.net
After the press conference held in Istanbul for the 2017 Euroleague Final Four, Eurohoops talked with Hedo Turkoglu one of the most prominent basketball personalities of Turkish basketball.
The former CEO of the Turkish Basketball Federation and currently chief advisor to president Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the overall importance behind the Final Four behind held in Istanbul and what it means for his country.
“First of all, I want to thank Mr Ilker Ayci, the Turkish Airlines chairman of the executive board, and all the other board members. I would like to thank also Jordi Bertomeu who believed in us. Our four Euroleague teams (Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Anadolu Efes, Darussafaka Dogus) have built great rosters. I hope they will represent us in the best possible way. Our wish is being in the Final Four with 4 teams. It could show the peak of Turkish basketball. It would be just incredible. We hope one of our teams will win the cup and show how Turkish Basketball develop. Fenerbahce did it well last year and Galatasaray won the Eurocup.”
After what transpired during summer, some recent rumors claimed that Istanbul would not host the Final Four, with some other city taking its place. “These rumors are normal. Yet, to see this kind of rumors coming from Turkey? That’s just sad. Despite the fact that we have gone through hard times, we have already shown the world how successfully we can host such tournaments. I hope it will be the same in the 2017 Final Four. I count ourselves as lucky. We have a president (Recep Tayyip Erdogan) who really loves the sport. He always supports us. When you have a presidents like him, your job becomes easy. Turkish people always shine out in hosting. We will do the same in the Final Four.”
“2017 is very important for Turkish people. We will also organize the Eurobasket tournament. Good times are coming up for the fans. Our clubs need them their support.”, Turkoglu concluded.