Mediterranean Games ‘13 draws made, 40 days to go

MERSİN - Anatolia News Agency

Turkish national football team coach Abdullah Avcı (R) attends the draw ceremony for next month’s 2013 Mediterranean Games in Mersin. AA photo

Turkey’s rivals for team sports in the upcoming Mediterranean Games were drawn recently as excitement grows for the Mersin-located event, set to take place in 40 days.

The drawing took place at a ceremony attended by Mersin Gov. Basri Güzeloğlu, as well as Mersin Mayor Macit Özcan and national team coach Abdullah Avcı.

Turkey was placed against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco and Albania in football; Macedonia, Egypt and Algeria in basketball; Egypt and France in men’s volleyball; and Slovenia and Tunisia in women’s volleyball. Handball rivals for the men’s team were set as Croatia, Macedonia and Italy, and for the women’s team France, Slovenia and Algeria. In water polo Turkey is set to take on Croatia and Spain.

‘Best ever Games’

This year’s Mediterranean Games will be the best ever held, Güzeloğlu told his guests, thanking everyone who had worked toward achieving the city’s goals.

“Mersin is ready for such a big event,” Güzeloğlu said. “Public, local, civilian and private, all factors will be offering Turkish hospitality to guests all through the event. Our aim is to organize an unforgettable event for our guests with the responsibility of representing our country.”

“Mersin, a pearl of the Mediterranean, with its historical richness, natural beauty and human values, will contribute to the games, and the games will give new meaning to Mersin.”

Güzeloğlu also added that the success of the Mersin event would be “a significant point of reference for the 2020 Olympic Games candidacy.”

Sports general director Mehmet Baykan said the games would take place in 54 facilities around the city, 11 of which were brand new, and the events would be attended by athletes from 54 countries.