A UK-based Turkish Cypriot campaign group has launched an international petition calling for an end to the political exclusion of Turkish Cypriot children and athletes from sport, following attempts to stop a Barça Academy football camp from taking place in North Cyprus.
Turkish Cypriots Exist (TCE) launched its “Let Turkish Cypriot Children Play” campaign after a planned FC Barcelona-affiliated youth football camp at Near East University (NEU) in Lefkoşa became the target of objections from Greek Cypriot politicians and sporting authorities.
The Barça Academy had originally advertised two camps, from 7-11 and 16-20 September, for boys and girls aged six to 18. Barcelona's official website listed the location as “Near East University, Lefkosa, Northern Cyprus”.
The Greek Cypriot-administered Cyprus Football Association subsequently said it had contacted UEFA and asked its Spanish counterpart to intervene to prevent the camp, while the far-right Greek Cypriot party ELAM also pressed for its cancellation. The event was later removed from Barcelona's online schedule, prompting reports that it had been cancelled or postponed.
However, NEU said on Wednesday, 2 September, that it had not received any official notification from Barça Academy that the camp had been postponed, and that efforts to stage the event were continuing.
Against that backdrop, TCE says its campaign is about a much bigger issue than one Barcelona football camp.
Under the slogan “Sport is for every child”, the petition argues that Turkish Cypriot youngsters should be able to play, train and compete without being excluded for political reasons, and calls for a “fair and workable pathway” to guarantee their participation in sport.
TCE intends to take the petition and its signatures to FC Barcelona, UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation, the Spanish Government and diplomatic missions, as well as British and European politicians, football authorities and other relevant European and international institutions.
Support has grown rapidly, rising to over 4,200 signatures six days after its launch.
There does not appear to be a fixed closing date for the petition at present, meaning supporters can continue to sign while TCE builds backing before approaching the various sporting and political bodies.
Who are Turkish Cypriots Exist?
TCE describes itself as a London-based advocacy organisation campaigning for Turkish Cypriot rights and international recognition. Its activities include lobbying politicians, promoting direct flights to North Cyprus, campaigning on diaspora political rights and developing an international network of activists in Britain, Europe, Australia and the United States.
The organisation was founded by British Turkish Cypriot businessman and Tottenham-based community activist Arkın Öksüzoğlu (pictured top). T-VINE readers may remember Öksüzoğlu from previous community campaigns: he was behind the 2021 petition challenging Waltham Forest Council following its removal of the TRNC flag from the town hall and has also campaigned over conditions at Tottenham Park Cemetery.
TCE says the ultimate message of its latest campaign is a simple one: political disagreements over Cyprus should not determine whether Turkish Cypriot children are allowed to participate in sport.
You can sign the “Let Turkish Cypriot Children Play” petition here.
