The 100th anniversary of Göztepe, one of the deep-rooted sports clubs in İzmir, was the scene of an enthusiastic celebration. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and his wife Öznur Tugay joined the celebrations and shared the excitement. Tugay said, “Göztepe has a glorious history of 1925 years from 2025 to 100, a past full of incredible stories. It is a source of pride to witness such a moment in the 100th anniversary of this past.”
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and his wife Öznur Tugay attended the 100th anniversary celebrations of Göztepe Sports Club. The celebrations were held at the Göztepe Martyr Kerem Oğuz Erbay Overpass, also known as the Güzelyalı Bridge. Boats departing from Üçkuyular Pier also anchored in the area where the celebrations took place. Republican People's Party Izmir Provincial Chairman Şenol Aslanoğlu, Konak Mayor Nilüfer Çınarlı Mutlu and her husband Necip Mutlu, former Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Kasapoğlu, Justice and Development Party Izmir Provincial Chairman Bilal Saygılı and Izmir MP Mahmut Atilla Kaya also attended the celebrations. Mayor Tugay chatted with Göztepe Sports Club Honorary Chairman Mehmet Sepil and Ceyhan Yazar, the only surviving football player of the legendary team who won the Atletico Madrid-Göztepe match played in 1967.
“Great successes are worthy”
Speaking about the 100th anniversary of the city’s long-established sports club, President Tugay said, “Izmir is an incredible city. It is a very valuable city. For me, it is a city that cannot be replaced by any other place in the world. This city has brand values. Göztepe is one of those values. It has a glorious history of 1925 years, from 2025 to 100, a past full of incredible stories. Witnessing such a moment in the 100th anniversary of this past can only make one feel proud. Karşıyaka, Altay, Altınordu, İzmir Spor, Buca Spor, all our teams are like this. İzmir is a jewel of Türkiye and one of the decorations on this jewel is Göztepe. I wholeheartedly congratulate everyone who has devoted themselves to Göztepe and knows the value of Göztepe. 100 years is a significant period. Very few institutions in the world have a history of 100 years. Great successes befit such values in the coming years. I have no doubt that they will achieve this success with people devoted to the club,” he said.
Torchlight and fireworks display
During the celebrations spread over a one-kilometer area along the Göztepe Coastline, marches and songs identified with Göztepe were frequently played, while the most impressive moment of the night was the torchlight and fireworks display. Torches and fireworks illuminated Izmir, turning the sky yellow and red. The celebrations continued with DJ performances and light shows.
