Mayor Eşki: “Young People and Children Are Our Priority”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki met with representatives of amateur sports clubs to outline new sports investments planned across Bornova, particularly focusing on football fields. Announcing that three new football pitches will be built around the Yusuf Tırpancı Field, that Doğanlar Stadium will be fully renovated, and that many facilities will be equipped with covered stands, Mayor Eşki also stated that amateur clubs will receive TRY 2.4 million in direct financial support in 2026. He emphasized that young people and children are at the center of all planned investments.

Mayor Ömer Eşki met with representatives of amateur sports clubs in Bornova at the Amateur House used by the İzmir Amateur Sports Clubs Federation (İASKF), located within Atatürk Stadium. The meeting was attended by İASKF President Efkan Muhtar, Bornova Clubs Union President Mustafa Yılmaz, relevant municipal officials, and numerous club representatives.

During the meeting, Mayor Eşki noted that in the nearly two years since taking office, priority had been given to infrastructure and road works carried out in cooperation with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. He stated that the upcoming period will see significant investments in sports facilities, particularly football fields.

An Exciting Project for Yusuf Tırpancı

Emphasizing that Bornova is the district with the highest number of amateur clubs in İzmir, Mayor Eşki stressed that young people and children are the primary target group in all projects. Pointing out that the needs of 50 clubs cannot be met with minor improvements, he said:
“There is a very large idle area behind the Yusuf Tırpancı Field. We will soon submit the planning work we have carried out for this area to the Metropolitan Municipality. Together with the existing fields, an area of approximately 30,000 square meters will be created. Here, we will build three football pitches suitable for official matches, complete with stands, locker rooms, and social facilities. These fields will significantly ease the match load in Bornova.”

Doğanlar Stadium to Be Completely Renovated

Mayor Eşki also shared good news regarding Doğanlar Stadium:
“We will renovate Doğanlar Stadium from top to bottom—from the pitch and locker rooms to landscaping and all infrastructure. We are currently at the tender stage. We will hand over the site to the winning contractor in March and complete the works within this year. Four amateur clubs in the area will benefit from this facility.”

Covered Stands to Expand at City Stadium and Tatlı Mustafa Stadium

Referring to stand improvements in Bornova, Mayor Eşki stated:
“We will enclose the open areas on the right and left sides of the covered stand at Bornova City Stadium, which also hosts official ceremonies and celebrations, turning the entire stadium into a fully covered stand facility. Similarly, we aim to cover all the stands at Tatlı Mustafa Stadium, also known as the Taç Sanayi Field.”

Neighborhood Fields to Be Renewed, Kiosks to Be Centrally Managed

Mayor Eşki added that neighborhood sports areas will also be renewed, saying:
“The artificial turf fields in Yunus Emre, Yeşilçam, and Atatürk neighborhoods will be renovated. Standardized kiosks, managed under a single system, will be established at all fields.”

“We Will Protect the Facilities Together”

Highlighting that protecting the facilities is just as important as making investments, Mayor Eşki called on club managers and coaches, stating:
“You have a great responsibility to protect these facilities and their surroundings. Instill this awareness in young people and children. They should protect the facilities, use them properly, and take ownership of their environment.”

Efkan Muhtar: “Mayor Eşki Is the Big Brother of Amateur Sports”

İASKF President Efkan Muhtar thanked Bornova Municipality and Mayor Ömer Eşki, saying:
“We sincerely thank Bornova Municipality and Mayor Ömer Eşki for all the work done and planned. Fifty of İzmir’s 320 amateur clubs operate in Bornova. This is a very high ratio, and we know how challenging the municipality’s task is. Our Mayor is both the big brother and the leader of these clubs. I kindly ask all amateur clubs to use and protect the facilities responsibly.”

TRY 2.4 Million Support for Amateur Clubs in 2026

In 2026, Bornova Municipality will provide a total of TRY 2.4 million in financial support to 46 amateur clubs participating in league competitions. Additionally, teams—including youth academies—competing in Turkish Championships will receive TRY 20,000 each.

Full Support from Club Representatives

Club representatives who took the floor during the meeting shared their concerns and requests individually. Describing the planned projects around the Yusuf Tırpancı Field as extremely exciting, they expressed their gratitude to Mayor Ömer Eşki and Bornova Municipality.