ID :
158568
Mon, 01/31/2011 - 14:05
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/158568
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2013 MEDITERRANEAN GAMES: Turkey's southern Mersin province to compete again to host the games
MERSIN (A.A) - 31.01.2011 - Turkey has launched a campaign to become the new venue of the "2013 Mediterranean Games" after Greece was stripped off the rights to host the upcoming tournament.
In an interview with AA on Monday, Justice and Development (AK) Party's Mersin deputy Kursad Tuzmen recalled that Turkey's southern Mersin province had lost the competition against the Greek city of Volos to become the host country of the "2013 Mediterranean Games", however, Greece had been later deprived of the tournament due to its severe financial problems.
"Greece's withdrawal from the games is a great opportunity for Turkey. Now, we have launched a campaign to bring the Mediterranean Games to Mersin", Tuzmen said.
Noting that Mersin was a candidate for the "2017 Mediterranean Games" as well, Tuzmen said, "We are hopeful on such matter, but in the meantime, we are faced with an opportunity that we have missed".
Tuzmen said Spain's Tarragone and Libya's Tripoli cities were other candidates that would compete to become the venue of the "2013 Mediterranean Games".
"We are ready and we believe we will host the tournament in the best way. We confide in Mersin's infrastructure and potential", Tuzmen said.
The deputy also noted that Turkey's hosting the 25th Winter Universiade Games would be a great reference for the country during the selection process of the Mediterranean Games' new venue.
The 2013 Mediterranean Games will be the 17th Mediterranean Games held so far. The games were earlier scheduled to be held in Greece for over 10 days, from June 24 to July 3, 2013, however, the country has been recently stripped of the hosting rights.
Turkey, Spain and Libya are currently listed as a potential alternate venue.
More than 4,000 athletes from 24 countries are expected to participate in the tournament. Nearly 260 medals are expected to be distributed to athletes competing in 27 different sports branches.
In an interview with AA on Monday, Justice and Development (AK) Party's Mersin deputy Kursad Tuzmen recalled that Turkey's southern Mersin province had lost the competition against the Greek city of Volos to become the host country of the "2013 Mediterranean Games", however, Greece had been later deprived of the tournament due to its severe financial problems.
"Greece's withdrawal from the games is a great opportunity for Turkey. Now, we have launched a campaign to bring the Mediterranean Games to Mersin", Tuzmen said.
Noting that Mersin was a candidate for the "2017 Mediterranean Games" as well, Tuzmen said, "We are hopeful on such matter, but in the meantime, we are faced with an opportunity that we have missed".
Tuzmen said Spain's Tarragone and Libya's Tripoli cities were other candidates that would compete to become the venue of the "2013 Mediterranean Games".
"We are ready and we believe we will host the tournament in the best way. We confide in Mersin's infrastructure and potential", Tuzmen said.
The deputy also noted that Turkey's hosting the 25th Winter Universiade Games would be a great reference for the country during the selection process of the Mediterranean Games' new venue.
The 2013 Mediterranean Games will be the 17th Mediterranean Games held so far. The games were earlier scheduled to be held in Greece for over 10 days, from June 24 to July 3, 2013, however, the country has been recently stripped of the hosting rights.
Turkey, Spain and Libya are currently listed as a potential alternate venue.
More than 4,000 athletes from 24 countries are expected to participate in the tournament. Nearly 260 medals are expected to be distributed to athletes competing in 27 different sports branches.
