Cooperation between the Ministry of Family and Social Services and TFF

With the protocol signed between the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) within the scope of declaring 2025 as the ‘Year of Family’, children under state protection, foster families, relatives of martyrs, veterans, the disabled and the elderly will be able to watch various football competitions, especially national matches, free of charge; children will be able to take to the field with the football players and participate in ceremonies. Family stands will be set up, technical support will be provided and various projects that will increase the visibility of social services will be implemented. The signing ceremony held at the TFF’s Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities in Riva was attended by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and President of the Turkish Football Federation İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu, as well as many students and families.

'WE BRING THE FAMILY TOGETHER WITH THE COMPASSION OF SPORTS'

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, in her speech at the signing ceremony, drew attention to the unifying role of sports in the family and society.

Minister Göktaş said, "We are together today to strengthen our cooperation with the Turkish Football Federation within the scope of the 2025 Family Year. This protocol is the beginning of a comprehensive cooperation in which we will support the physical, spiritual and social development of our children under state protection. It means the smile of a child holding the hand of a football player on the field, the excitement of a mother watching the match with her family in the stands, the honorable look of a veteran father. This unity is the will to bring together the unifying power of sports with the compassion of social service."

'FOOTBALL IS A DOOR THAT OPENS TO DREAMS'

Minister Göktaş said, "Football has always been more than a game. Sometimes on the green fields, sometimes in the neighborhood, children are not just chasing a ball. They are actually chasing their dreams. They form a bond. With their teammates, with their siblings who support different teams, with their families who watch the game in the stands. In this sense, football is a bridge of hearts that brings generations together, strengthens family communication and social solidarity, beyond being a sport. It is also a social tool that unites, heals and gives hope."

'FREE MATCH OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES'

Minister Göktaş spoke as follows: With this protocol, our children under state protection and care will be able to watch the matches free of charge. In addition, foster families and their children, relatives of martyrs, veterans and relatives of veterans will be hosted free of charge in stadiums during national matches. Our children will take to the field with the football players, take part in the match ceremonies and collect unforgettable memories. We will create family stands and ensure that our children and their families can watch the matches in safe and comfortable areas. We will ensure that the teams consisting of our children under protection receive technical support.

'WOMEN, DISABLED AND ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE NOT FORGOTTEN'

Minister Göktaş also expressed the steps aimed at increasing the visibility of social services with the following words: We will also increase the visibility of our social services such as the safety of our children and the empowerment of women. We will also organize events that will ensure more active participation of the disabled and the elderly in social life. In this way, we will bring the inclusive and transformative power of sports to every segment of society. We will bring our children, women, the disabled and the elderly together in the same stands. In this way, we will present an exemplary model that strengthens family ties and increases the culture of unity and togetherness.

'THIS IS NOT JUST A PROTOCOL, IT IS A PROMISE TO THE FUTURE'

At the end of his speech, Minister Göktaş touched upon the meaning of declaring 2025 as the 'Year of Family' and said, "As our President also stated, 'Family is one of our most ancient and deep-rooted values.' With this belief, we declared 2025 as the 'Year of Family'. Because we know that the family, which is the first place where our children gain a sense of belonging, is also the cornerstone of society and the most solid fortress of our country. In this sense, the signature we have made here today is not just a protocol. It is also the expression of a promise made to the family, children, youth and our future. It is to bring together the discipline, team spirit and determination of sports with the compassion, sensitivity and inclusiveness of social services. This protocol will grow with the dreams of our children and the hope of our families, and love, respect and solidarity will be reflected on the field in the language of sports. Every hope given to children, every support offered to families and every individual brought into society is the messenger of a stronger Türkiye."

'WE WILL SIGN JOINT PROJECTS'

TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu also made a statement, saying, "With the agreement we will make with our ministry, we will undertake joint projects for the empowerment of families, children's services, the disabled, the elderly, relatives of martyrs, veterans and women. We will do our part meticulously and excessively to bring the projects to life. We do not see this as 'positive discrimination' but as a direct duty and responsibility."

'WE WILL ALWAYS BE WILLING TO TAKE PART IN THESE PROJECTS'

Hacıosmanoğlu said, "A solid family structure builds a society that looks to the future with confidence. The most important guarantee of a country is that children, the adults of tomorrow, grow up in good conditions. The inclusion of disadvantaged individuals in every area of ​​society is a must for social peace and inner peace. The relatives of those who died for this country and our veterans are also entrusted to us. For this reason, I would like to emphasize once again that we, as the Turkish Football Federation, will always gladly take part in these projects."

DHA

Editor: News Center