By Duncan Mackay
December 23 – Turkey would bring a passion and spirit to Euro 2016 missing from the 2008 tournament, Sports Minister Faruk Nafiz Özak (pictured) claimed as the country officially launched its €1.75 billion (£1.5 billion) campaign today.
Turkey, bidding to host its first major international tournament, faces competition from France and Italy after Sweden and Norway appear likely to drop their joint application.
Özak said: ”The organisation was wonderful at Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria, but it lacked spirit.
“Turkey can provide a fantastic mood because of the amazing love for football and passion of its people.
“Italy and France have an advantage because they organised the tournament twice before.
“But the enthusiasm we have because we have never staged it is also an advantage.”
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said it had the full backing of the President, the Government and Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, a former semi-professional footballer.
It said nine stadiums in eight cities in western and central Turkey would host the games.
The Ataturk Olympic Stadium and Seyrantepe Turk Telekom Arena, which is under construction, in Istanbul, Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri are the existing stadiums.
Other stadiums planned to be built in Ankara, Izmir, Konya, Antalya, Bursa and Eskisehir would all be used.
If the bid is successful, Turkey is planning to spend more than €1 billion (£900 million) on building and developing infrastructure and tourism facilities, €400 million (£359 million) on improving and building stadiums and €250 million (£224 million) on promotion and marketing.
Istanbul hosted the UEFA Champions’ League final in 2005, when Liverpool came from 3-0 down at half-time to beat AC Milan on penalties (pictured), and the final of the UEFA Cup earlier this year.
Turkey also unveiled its logo to be used during its candidacy.
It is designed as a tulip in eight colors, symbolising eight cities, and a soccer ball in it.
Turkey, a young emerging economy of 72 million, would also benefit economically and socially from hosting the tournament, authorities said.
TFF President Mahmut Özgener said: “To host an event that three million people are expected to follow in the host country will have significant contributions to Turkey financially and the facilities to be built will guarantee the future of Turkish football.”
Özak, who is responsible for sports and youth, said the Turkish Government was ready to give all guarantees, reassuring that the bid would not face any financial problems.
He said: ”The process will not be only the TFF’s responsibility, we can achieve if we create a team spirit.
“We will provide anything requested from the state, even guarantee from the Treasury.
“Letters of support by the President, the Prime minister and all Ministers have been sent to the TFF and the involved parties.”
It is the third time that Turkey have bid to host the European Championships.
Euro 2016 Project Coordinator Orhan Gorbon said: ”We will compete against two of the biggest countries in Europe, which have strong lobbies.
“But we are ready for the challenge and I believe that Turkey will host Euro 2016.”
Bid dossiers for the first Euros to host 24 countries, must be presented to UEFA by February 15 with a decision due in May.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734891478labto1734891478ofdlr1734891478owedi1734891478sni@y1734891478akcam1734891478.nacn1734891478ud1734891478.