More than 2,000 trail runners from more than 60 countries are expected to descend on Türkiye’s northeastern Black Sea province of Rize on Friday for the second edition of Kaçkar by UTMB, putting the region’s mountains, culture and sports tourism ambitions on an international stage.

The Sept. 11-13 event is Türkiye’s first and only UTMB World Series race and will bring competitors from six continents to the rugged Kaçkar Mountains.

Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak said the event represents far more than a major endurance race, describing it as an opportunity to introduce Rize’s natural and cultural attractions to a global audience.

“Kaçkar by UTMB is not just a sporting event,” Bak said. “It is also an important opportunity to introduce Rize’s unique natural and cultural riches to the world.”

Bak, whose family roots are in Rize’s Pazar district, said athletes, teams and visitors will have an opportunity to experience some of the region’s best-known destinations, including Ayder Plateau, Zil Kale, Fırtına Valley and the highlands of Pokut, Sal and Huser.

The minister also pointed to the event’s expected economic impact, saying increased reservations for accommodation and other tourism services are already being recorded ahead of the races.

“We expect significant economic activity across many sectors, especially accommodation, transportation, food and tourism,” Bak said. “We are very pleased to show Rize’s sports tourism potential to the world.”

A global trail-running stage

Kaçkar by UTMB is part of the UTMB World Series, an international circuit of trail-running events held in major mountain and outdoor destinations around the world. The series provides a pathway for runners seeking places in the prestigious UTMB Mont-Blanc finals in Chamonix, France.

Depending on the race category, competitors can earn Running Stones, which provide entries into the lottery for the finals, while their performances also contribute to their UTMB Index. Top performers in selected categories can secure direct qualification.

For Rize, hosting a UTMB World Series event provides an opportunity to connect the province with a global community of endurance athletes while promoting its mountain environment as a destination for adventure tourism.

The inaugural Kaçkar by UTMB was held in September 2025 in the Çamlıhemşin district, with Ayder Plateau serving as the main hub. The first edition attracted roughly 1,600 to 1,900 participants from dozens of countries, although severe weather and safety concerns at higher elevations forced the cancellation of the longest race.

The 2026 edition is expected to be larger, with organizers projecting more than 2,000 runners representing over 60 countries.

The event is being held under the auspices of the Youth and Sports Ministry and coordinated by the Rize Governorship, with support from sponsors including Turkcell, Turkish Airlines and TOGG.

Racing through the Kaçkars

The races take competitors through one of Türkiye’s most dramatic mountain environments, combining steep climbs, forests, valleys, alpine meadows and high-altitude terrain.

The flagship Kaçkar 100K features roughly 76 to 82 kilometers of running and about 5,600 meters of elevation gain, taking competitors across high passes, technical trails and remote sections of the Kaçkar range.

The Kaçkar 50K covers roughly 43 to 44 kilometers with about 3,000 meters of climbing, while the Kaçkar 20K provides a shorter but still demanding route through the region’s forests, valleys and highlands. A shorter Ayder 4K community or discovery race has also been included in event programming.

Ayder Plateau, located at about 1,350 meters, serves as the heart of the event. The highland is known for its traditional wooden architecture, thermal springs and waterfalls and provides access to some of the region’s higher mountain settlements.

Beyond the race routes, visitors can explore the Fırtına Valley, where the Fırtına River cuts through steep gorges beneath historic stone bridges. The valley is also known for rafting and other outdoor activities.

Zil Kale, a medieval fortress dramatically positioned above the valley, offers one of the region’s most recognizable historical landmarks. Higher up, Pokut and Sal plateaus are known for traditional wooden houses and sweeping views, while Huser is particularly popular for its panoramic sunsets and views above the clouds.

Together, the Kaçkar Mountains and surrounding highlands offer a combination of alpine landscapes, glacial features, endemic plant life and traditional Hemşin highland culture that organizers hope will appeal to visitors beyond the racing community.

Tourism ambitions beyond tea

Rize has long been identified with tea production, but officials increasingly want the province to be recognized for its wider tourism potential.

The arrival of thousands of international runners, support staff, media members and spectators is expected to generate activity across hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, guides, retailers and other tourism businesses.

Rize Governor İhsan Selim Baydaş has also highlighted the event’s potential to strengthen sports tourism across the province and the wider Eastern Black Sea region.

The presence of Rize-Artvin Airport provides an additional gateway for visitors traveling to the region, while the event’s annual return could help establish the Kaçkar Mountains as a more recognizable destination on the international adventure-tourism map.

Bak said Rize’s appeal extends well beyond its reputation as Türkiye’s tea capital.

“Rize is not only the capital of tea,” he said. “With its nature, culture and sports tourism potential, it is one of Türkiye’s most special cities. We will bring the world together in the Kaçkar Mountains.”

Galatasaray’s struggles on the road in the Champions League continued Wednesday as Sporting Lisbon rallied for a 3-1 victory, handing the Turkish champions their first defeat of the season.

Playing in their 19th Champions League campaign, Galatasaray made an ideal start at Jose Alvalade Stadium when Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio turned the ball into his own net in the fifth minute.

The visitors controlled the opening stages and looked dangerous going forward, but Sporting gradually took control. Geny Catamo equalized in the 27th minute, and the Portuguese side grew increasingly comfortable as the first half progressed.

Galatasaray had a chance to restore their lead when Leroy Sane found himself with a clear opportunity in the 37th minute, but the German forward could not convert.

The teams went into halftime tied 1-1, but Sporting took charge after the break.

Luis Suarez put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot in the 57th minute before Rodrigo Zalazar extended Sporting’s advantage with a free kick six minutes later.

Galatasaray could not find a response and left Lisbon with a 3-1 defeat.

The loss ended Galatasaray’s unbeaten start to the season. Okan Buruk’s team had won three and drawn one of their opening four matches, all in the Turkish Super Lig, and entered the Sporting game on a three-match winning streak.

A difficult start

The defeat continued Galatasaray’s long-running struggles in the opening round of the Champions League league or group stage.

The Turkish side have won only one of their last 10 opening matches in the competition. They have drawn four and lost five during that span.

Their lone victory came in 2018-19, when Galatasaray opened with a 3-0 home win over Lokomotiv Moscow.

Their other recent opening-day results include a 0-0 draw with Bordeaux in 2006-07, a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United in 2012-13, a 6-1 home loss to Real Madrid in 2013-14, a 1-1 draw with Anderlecht in 2014-15, a 2-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid in 2015-16, a 0-0 draw at Club Brugge in 2019-20, a 2-2 draw with Copenhagen in 2023-24 and defeats against Eintracht Frankfurt and Sporting in the last two campaigns.

Just one away win in 16 European matches

Galatasaray’s problems have been even more pronounced away from home.

They have won just one of their last 16 European away matches, a run that began with a 2-1 defeat at Bayern Munich in the 2023-24 Champions League.

Their only victory during that stretch came last season, when they beat Ajax 3-0 in Amsterdam.

Galatasaray have drawn three of their other 15 away matches and lost 12, underlining the difficulty they have had producing consistent results outside Istanbul in European competition.

The Sporting defeat added another chapter to that disappointing run.

Sporting fans target Leao

The match also marked Rafael Leao’s first return to Sporting’s stadium as an opposing player, and the Galatasaray forward was greeted with a hostile reception.

Leao came through Sporting’s academy before leaving the club in controversial circumstances in 2018. A group of masked Sporting supporters had raided the club’s training ground and attacked players, prompting several footballers, including Leao, to argue that their safety was at risk and terminate their contracts.

Leao subsequently joined French club Lille as a free agent despite having a reported 45 million-euro release clause.

His performances in France earned him a move to AC Milan, who paid about 30 million euros for the Portugal international.

A Portuguese sports arbitration court later ruled in 2022 that Leao was liable to Sporting and ordered him to pay the club about 20 million euros, including interest. Milan ultimately covered the amount under an agreement with Lille, bringing the total cost of Leao’s transfer to the Italian club to around 50 million euros.

When Leao returned to Jose Alvalade with Galatasaray, Sporting supporters made their feelings clear.

Leao came on for Sane in the 58th minute and was loudly booed whenever he touched the ball.

Galatasaray’s European scoring run survives

Despite the defeat, Galatasaray maintained one impressive European streak.

At least one team has scored in each of their last 40 European matches.

The last time Galatasaray played a European match that ended 0-0 was in March 2022, when they drew with Barcelona at Camp Nou in the first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie.

Since then, the Turkish side have played 40 consecutive European matches in which the deadlock has been broken by at least one goal.

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Beşiktaş have accused the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) of applying disciplinary rules unfairly after Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic was referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee over an incident during the club’s derby victory against Fenerbahçe.

Vlahovic was referred to the PFDK by the TFF Legal Counsel on Monday under Article 41 of the Football Disciplinary Instructions for alleged “insult” during Beşiktaş’s 2-1 victory over Fenerbahçe on Sept. 5.

The decision immediately drew a strong response from Beşiktaş, who questioned why Vlahovic was disciplined while Fenerbahçe defender Milan skriniar, who was involved in the same confrontation, was not referred.

The incident occurred during a tense second half at Chobani Stadium, where Beşiktaş rallied to claim a major derby victory.

skriniar put Fenerbahçe ahead in the 26th minute before Rıdvan Yılmaz equalized for the visitors 12 minutes later. Vlahovic then completed the comeback in the 73rd minute, scoring the winning goal in his first major derby for the Istanbul club.

The striker was at the center of a heated exchange with skriniar shortly after halftime. Both players were shown yellow cards around the 52nd and 53rd minutes following the confrontation.

According to Beşiktaş, however, the incident did not begin with Vlahovic. The club argued that skriniar had repeatedly provoked its striker through his words and actions during the match and questioned why only Vlahovic faced disciplinary proceedings.

“It is unacceptable that our player Dusan Vlahovic has been referred to the disciplinary board, while the opposing team player, who provoked our player with his actions and words throughout the match, has not been referred.,” Beşiktaş said in a statement.

The club described the referral as evidence that Turkish football is being managed without sufficient regard for “justice and equality” and accused the TFF and its disciplinary bodies of once again displaying what it called a hostile attitude toward Beşiktaş.

Beşiktaş also challenged the source of the evidence used to refer Vlahovic.

“If this referral decision was made on the basis of the broadcaster’s footage, was only the footage of our player provided to you by the broadcaster?” the club asked the federation.

The club also questioned the role of the video assistant referee system, arguing that VAR had access to multiple camera angles showing both players during the confrontation but did not intervene or call the referee to review the incident.

“VAR can follow both players from all angles in the incident that occurred on the pitch, so why did it not feel the need to call the match referee?” Beşiktaş said.

The club then turned its criticism toward the Süper Lig’s broadcaster, accusing it of presenting the incident selectively.

Beşiktaş claimed the broadcaster repeatedly showed Vlahovic during its coverage of the confrontation while failing to show skriniar in the same context, arguing that the presentation did not meet the standards of objectivity and equality expected of the league’s broadcaster.

The club said it would file the necessary objections with the relevant authorities to defend both Vlahovic and the institution.

The PFDK referral does not constitute a final disciplinary decision. As of Sept. 9, the committee had not announced a ruling on the case.

Article 41 covers conduct including insults, threats and attacks on personal rights. Depending on the nature of the offense and the person targeted, the regulations can result in a suspension of several matches if the charge is upheld.

The referral was made without precautionary suspension, meaning Vlahovic was not automatically barred from playing while the disciplinary process continued.

The case comes barely a month after Vlahovic joined Beşiktaş as a free agent following the end of his contract with Juventus.

The 26-year-old Serbia international signed a three-year deal with the Istanbul club in August, reportedly earning a guaranteed €7.5 million per season. He arrived with an impressive record in Italy, having scored 68 goals in 168 appearances for Juventus.

Under manager Vincenzo Italiano, Vlahovic has quickly emerged as a central figure in Beşiktaş’s attack, and his winning goal against Fenerbahçe gave him an immediate signature moment in one of Turkish football’s biggest fixtures.

The potential disciplinary case now threatens to overshadow that derby heroics.

For Beşiktaş, the dispute is about more than the availability of one player. The club’s unusually forceful statement frames the referral as another example of what it sees as inconsistent treatment by Turkish football authorities.

The PFDK’s eventual ruling will determine whether Vlahovic faces a suspension and how many matches he could miss, while Beşiktaş have made clear that they intend to challenge the decision through the appropriate channels.

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Arda Güler received the UEFA Champions League Breakthrough Player award for the 2025-26 season before Real Madrid’s opening league-phase match against Inter Milan on Tuesday, recognizing the Turkish midfielder’s emergence as an influential player on Europe’s biggest stage.

Güler was honored in a pregame ceremony at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Real Madrid legend Luis Figo presented him with the trophy as the home crowd applauded the 21-year-old.

The award, also known as the Revelation of the Season honor, was introduced to recognize a young player who makes a significant jump in impact, consistency and maturity during the Champions League campaign. UEFA’s Technical Observer Group selected Güler for the honor after his expanded role during the 2025-26 season.

Güler’s recognition came despite his absence from Real Madrid’s squad for the Inter match. He was serving a suspension stemming from a red card he received after the final whistle of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Bayern Munich last season.

The midfielder was sent off after protesting the dismissal of teammate Eduardo Camavinga, leaving him ineligible for Real Madrid’s first league-phase fixture of the new campaign. He therefore received his award in civilian clothes rather than his Real Madrid match kit and watched the game from the stands.

Güler made a significant leap last season after seeing limited action in his first full Champions League campaign. He made 14 appearances, including 13 starts, and played 1,030 minutes, compared with 142 minutes and one start the previous season.

He scored twice in the competition, both coming in the second leg against Bayern. His opening goal came after just 34 seconds, setting a club record for the fastest Champions League goal by Real Madrid in that competition, according to the club.

Güler also contributed several assists during the campaign and earned Player of the Match honors for his composed midfield performance in Real Madrid’s league-phase victory over Juventus.

His progress was particularly notable because the Breakthrough Player award is reserved for players who meet UEFA’s age criteria and can win the honor only once. Previous Young Player of the Season winners are also ineligible.

Güler was not the only Real Madrid player recognized before kickoff.

Kylian Mbappe was presented with the Champions League top-scorer award after leading the competition with 15 goals in 11 appearances during the 2025-26 season. Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane finished second with 14 goals.

Mbappe’s scoring run also helped him win the Spanish league’s Pichichi trophy as La Liga’s top scorer.

The individual honors came on a night when Real Madrid began another European campaign with expectations high despite their disappointing finish in the previous edition. Los Blancos were eliminated by Bayern in the quarterfinals last season, with Güler’s suspension carrying over into the new campaign.

Real Madrid nevertheless opened the new league phase with a 2-1 victory over Inter.

Mbappe gave the hosts the lead in the 14th minute after taking advantage of an Inter defensive mistake, before Federico Valverde doubled the advantage before halftime following another error by the visitors.

Inter reduced the deficit late in the match through Carlos Augusto, but Real Madrid held on for three points.

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Fenerbahçe return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 18 years on Thursday when they host Roma in the opening round of the league phase, hoping to turn a difficult domestic start into a memorable European night.

The match at Chobani Stadium in Istanbul kicks off at 7:45 p.m. local time.

The Yellow Canaries endured a long and difficult road back to Europe’s elite club competition.

Starting in the second qualifying round, they eliminated Gornik Zabrze and Sturm Graz before overcoming Lyon in a tense playoff to finally end an 18-year absence from the Champions League’s main phase.

Fenerbahçe have played 154 matches in UEFA competitions since their last Champions League appearance, suffering nine qualifying exits along the way. Their most recent attempt ended against Benfica last season, a setback that contributed to Jose Mourinho’s departure and eventually paved the way for Domenico Tedesco.

After Tedesco’s spell, Fenerbahçe turned to Ismail Kartal, who guided them through three rounds of qualifying and back into the competition they had been desperate to reach.

Their return, however, comes at a challenging moment domestically.

Fenerbahçe opened their Süper Lig campaign with a defeat against Gençlerbirliği but responded with consecutive victories before suffering another setback Saturday, when they were beaten at home by city rivals Beşiktaş in the derby.

Kartal’s side will therefore view the visit of Roma as an opportunity to change the mood around the team and give their supporters a result worthy of their long-awaited return to Europe’s top club competition.

Roma arrive in confident mood

Roma have also waited several years to return to the Champions League, although their seven-year absence has included a historic European triumph. The Italian club won the inaugural Europa Conference League during that period before securing their return to Europe’s premier competition with a strong finish to last season.

They ended the Serie A campaign with five consecutive victories, scoring at least twice in each of those matches while conceding only two goals. That surge helped them finish third and marked an impressive first season under veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Gasperini brings considerable European experience to the Roma dugout. During his time at Atalanta, he led the club to the Europa League title in 2024 and established them as a regular presence in European competition.

His Roma side have carried that momentum into the new season.

They have won all three of their Serie A matches and sit at the top of the early standings, ahead of reigning champions Inter Milan on goal difference. Their latest victory was particularly dramatic, with Roma producing a late comeback against Gasperini’s former club.

The Italian visitors have also been boosted by the early form of Donyell Malen, who has emerged as one of their most dangerous attacking players.

Lukaku faces former club

The game could also carry extra significance for Fenerbahçe striker Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgium international spent the 2023-24 season at Roma, making Thursday’s meeting a reunion with his former club. If selected, Lukaku will have the chance to face several familiar faces on a night when Fenerbahçe will need their leading attacking options to deliver.

Talisca, who was Fenerbahçe’s leading scorer during qualifying, has since joined Al Jazira, leaving Lukaku and Vedat Muriqi among the options to lead the attack.

Injury and suspension concerns

Fenerbahçe will be without at least two players against Roma.

Matteo Guendouzi is suspended by UEFA after receiving a two-match ban, while Marco Asensio is dealing with a thigh injury and remains unavailable.

Jayden Oosterwolde is also sidelined after undergoing surgery on a hamstring problem.

Roma have fewer selection concerns. Lorenzo Pellegrini is their only confirmed absentee as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury, leaving Gasperini with an otherwise strong squad to choose from.

Dybala and Malen

Roma possess plenty of attacking quality, with Paulo Dybala and Malen expected to play central roles.

Dybala remains the experienced centerpiece of the attack and has been among Roma’s standout performers this season. The Argentine has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 16 Champions League starts, although his most recent appearance in the competition came in March 2022.

Malen provides a younger and more explosive threat. Alongside Dybala, he gives Roma a dangerous attacking partnership capable of testing Fenerbahçe’s defense.

Roma’s squad also features France international Manu Kone and a collection of promising young players, including Santiago Castro, Matias Soule, Rodrigo Mora and Niccolo Pisilli.

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Boxing great Manny Pacquiao spent decades fighting opponents in the ring. Now, the Filipino sports icon is taking on a different and more enduring adversary: poverty.

Pacquiao joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet on Tuesday as head of the government’s anti-poverty agency, pledging to help Filipinos struggling with hardships he knows from personal experience.

The 47-year-old former senator was appointed lead convener of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, marking his first Cabinet post after a long political career that included service in Congress and the Senate.

His political journey has also included an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2022 and a failed attempt to return to the Senate in 2025 as part of a Marcos-backed ticket.

As NAPC chief, Pacquiao will coordinate government efforts to reduce poverty, an issue he said he understands firsthand.

“I came from poverty. I experienced sleeping on cardboard on the streets, drinking only water, having nothing to eat and saving loose coins just to help my family,” Pacquiao said in a statement.

Pacquiao, who grew up in poverty, worked as a ship stowaway and fought on the streets as a boy, earning $2 per fight. His net worth was estimated at $220 million last year, according to Sports Illustrated.

He takes over the anti-poverty agency as the Marcos administration seeks to reduce the poverty rate to 8% to 9% by 2028. Government data showed the rate fell to 9.7% in 2025, equivalent to about 11.08 million Filipinos living below the poverty line.

The only boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions, Pacquiao remains one of the Philippines’ most revered sporting figures. His biggest fights have drawn everyone from presidents and Hollywood stars to ordinary Filipinos, often bringing the nation of 119 million people to a standstill.

The southpaw retired in 2021 but returned to the ring in July 2025 to face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship in Las Vegas. Pacquiao was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025.

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