London, United Kingdom. A London amateur football cup final between a primarily Turkish Cypriot team and a primarily Greek Cypriot team has been described as an “example for Cyprus” by CTP representative Sami Ozuslu. Mehmetcik FC are set to face Olympia FC London on Wednesday night in the London Sunday Challenge Cup final.
Ozuslu calls match a model for bicommunal sports
Ozuslu said the fixture was “an important example for Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot youth to partake in sports together”. He added that “Cypriots living in England have succeeded in doing what we cannot achieve in Cyprus, our own island” by playing a competitive bicommunal match.
Appeal for sports to support intercommunal relations
Ozuslu said similar examples in London were important for reminding people that sports should be treated in a way which would bring rapprochement in intercommunal relations and increase trust in Cyprus.
Proposal for a bicommunal technical committee
He said the example should be built on in Cyprus through the establishment of a bicommunal technical committee on bicommunal sports, which he said must “work actively”.
CTP invitation to parties and sports stakeholders
Ozuslu said the CTP “invites all Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot political parties and stakeholders of sports to read the message of the final between Mehmetcik and Olympia and to highlight the unifying role of sports”.
Match details
The final is scheduled to kick off at 7.30pm local time at Wingate & Finchley FC’s Summers Lane.
Will you watch the Mehmetcik FC vs Olympia FC London final or follow its outcome?