Housing agency set to build 20 stadiums

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Türk Telekom Arena is one of the stadiums built by the state agency. AA photo

Turkey’s state-run housing agency is undertaking a comprehensive sports investment program which includes the construction of 20 stadiums and an indoor hall with a 20,000-person capacity, the agency’s chairman has said.

“We’re carrying out the most comprehensive investments in sports history in cooperation with the Sports Ministry,” Ahmet Haluk Karabel of the Housing Development Administration (TOKİ) said in an interview with Anadolu Agency yesterday.

TOKİ has already completed the construction of two stadiums, Türk Telekom Arena, which is currently used by Turkish football team Galatasaray, and Mersin Stadium, which was used during the Mediterranean Games held in the southern province of Mersin.

“In addition, tenders for 11 stadiums have been conducted and their construction has begun. Meanwhile, there are seven stadiums waiting at the tender and preparation process,” Karabel said.

TOKİ will also be the contractor for Olympic facilities, including an Olympic village, if Istanbul, one of three bidders along with Tokyo and Madrid, wins the race to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. The winning city will be selected at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires in September.

Karabel said TOKİ was an important factor in Turkey’s Olympic bid. “Countries establish an equivalent institution to TOKİ for construction works when they win the right to host the Olympics.

TOKİ, which has built 596,600 houses in the past 10 years, with its ability to finish off jobs in short periods, would be an important chance for us to get the Olympics,” he said.

In a report released in June, the International Olympic Committee report also stated its confidence in TOKİ.