8th “Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) International Futsal Tournament”, organized by the EMU Sports Affairs Directorate, has begun with the opening ceremony that took place at Lala Mustafa Paşa Sports Complex on Wednesday, the 22nd of March 2017 at 5:00 p.m. Players from all national teams came to the field with jerseys representing their countries and the International Futsal Tournament began after a minute of silence and the National Anthem.
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam delivered an opening speech at the ceremony during which he mentioned that sports and team spirit strengthens communication between people. Prof. Dr. Osam stated that EMU is an international university with students from 106 different countries underlining that sports competitions as such play an important role in multicultural interaction and the formation of new friendships. Prof. Dr. Osam concluded by wishing good luck to all of the teams of the tournament.
There is increasing attention to the tournament each year as also indicated by 30 men’s and 10 women’s teams competing in the organization this year. The group matches will be played between the 22nd of March and 4th of April 2017. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played between the 5th and 6th of April 2017 whilst the final matches will take place on the 19th of April 2017.
EMU Lala Mustafa Paşa Sports Complex will host the matches in six men’s and two women’s groups. The semifinalists will be decided after a cross match-up between quarterfinalists which will consist of the first two leading teams in each men’s group. The losing teams in the semifinals will compete for the third place. In the women’s competition, the first two teams in each group will progress directly to the semifinals after cross match ups. The winners of the semifinals will play in the finals and the losing teams will compete for third place.
EMU Vice Rector for International Relations and Promotion Prof. Dr. Cem Tanova, Student Affairs Coordinator Assist. Prof. Dr. Derviş Subaşı, Education Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Ülker Vancı Osam, Public Relations and Press Office Director (a.) Murat Aktuğralı, a crowded group of academicians, administrative personnel and students were present at the opening ceremony.
It was observed that the general public also showed great interest in this important organization where different cultures come together, as much as the university students and administrative personnel. The results of the first day matches are as follows:
|
IRAN |
3 |
1 |
TRNC |
MEN |
|
PAKISTAN |
5 |
4 |
SWAZİLAND |
MEN |
|
CAMEROON |
0 |
2 |
TRNC |
WOMEN |
|
SWAZİLAND |
3 |
0 |
PALESTINE |
WOMEN |
|
PAKISTAN |
1 |
1 |
JORDAN |
WOMEN |
|
NIGERIA |
5 |
0 |
TAJIKISTAN |
MEN |
|
SENEGAL |
1 |
7 |
YEMEN |
MEN |
|
CAMEROON |
3 |
0 |
KAZAKHSTAN |
MEN |
|
NORTHERN IRAQ |
4 |
4 |
ZAMBIA |
MEN |
