Sports
Turkish sports score unifying moment on Republic’s 103rd anniversary
Türkiye’s sports community joined the nation in celebrating the 103rd anniversary of the Republic on Thursday, with football clubs, sports federations and athletes honoring the country’s founding leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, while organizing races, cycling events, sailing competitions and commemorative rides.
From messages issued by the country’s leading football clubs to sporting events held across the country, the celebrations highlighted the Republic’s legacy and the role of sport in bringing people together.
Republic Day marks the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye on Oct. 29, 1923, following the War of Independence led by Atatürk. The national struggle began with his arrival in Samsun on May 19, 1919, a date now commemorated as Youth and Sports Day.
Football leads tributes
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and leading Süper Lig clubs marked the anniversary with statements honoring Atatürk, the founders of the Republic and those who fought for independence.
The TFF paid tribute to Atatürk and the heroes of the national struggle, wishing the nation a happy Republic Day. It also emphasized football’s unifying power and its responsibility to uphold the values associated with the Republic.
Beşiktaş president Serdal Adalı recalled the historical significance of Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun and the proclamation of the Republic, reaffirming the club’s commitment to protecting its founding principles.
Quoting Atatürk’s words, “Freedom and independence are my character,” Adalı said the club would continue to follow the path shaped by Atatürk’s principles and reforms.
Beşiktaş also described the Republic as a precious legacy entrusted to the present generation to preserve and pass on to future generations.
Fenerbahçe drew a direct connection between its history and the national independence movement, recalling the club’s support for the nation during the struggle.
The Istanbul club said it continued to carry that responsibility through its athletes, achievements and representation of Türkiye, pledging to keep the Republic’s values alive.
“Today and tomorrow, the Republic forever,” Fenerbahçe said in its Republic Day message.
Galatasaray commemorated Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, the martyrs who gave their lives for the country and veterans who fought for its independence.
The club expressed gratitude for their sacrifices and concluded its message with the declaration, “Long live the Republic.”
Trabzonspor also paid tribute to Atatürk and his fellow independence fighters, celebrating the 103rd anniversary and describing the Republic as a symbol of independence and a foundation for the country’s future.
Other clubs across the Süper Lig and lower divisions joined the commemorations through messages published on their official channels.
Basketball and volleyball emphasize national values
Sports federations across Türkiye also marked the anniversary, highlighting the connection between the Republic’s founding principles and the development of sport.
Turkish Basketball Federation president Hidayet Türkoğlu described the Republic as both a legacy and a responsibility, calling for continued contributions to education, science, culture, the arts and sport.
Türkoğlu said the federation aimed to build on Türkiye’s international basketball achievements, create more opportunities for young people and extend sport’s unifying influence across society.
The Turkish Volleyball Federation described the Republic as a symbol of freedom, equality and confidence in the future. It said volleyball continued to carry those values onto the court while representing Türkiye in domestic and international competitions.
Federations overseeing handball, tennis, gymnastics, traditional sports, sailing, taekwondo and wushu also issued commemorative messages.
Their statements reinforced a common theme: sporting success carries a responsibility to contribute to the country’s development while preserving the values associated with the Republic.
Races, cycling and sailing mark the anniversary
Beyond official statements, several sporting events brought the celebrations into public spaces, with participants taking part in running, cycling, horseback riding and sailing activities.
The inaugural International Osmangazi-Türkiye Century Run was held Thursday on the Osmangazi Bridge, which spans the Gulf of İzmit.
Organized by Kocaeli Municipality in cooperation with national and local partners, the event attracted nearly 8,000 applications and participants from 19 countries.
The program featured a 10-kilometer elite race scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m., alongside a 5-kilometer public run. An awards ceremony was planned at Informatics Valley, with organizers hoping to establish the competition as an annual Republic Day tradition.
The Turkish Cycling Federation launched its “Türkiye Pedals” initiative, running from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 across all 81 provinces.
The program combined Republic Day celebrations with climate awareness ahead of the U.N. climate conference COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya from Nov. 9 to 20.
Open to licensed cyclists, clubs, students and families, the initiative promoted cycling as a low-emission transportation option. In Istanbul, a ride of about 10 kilometers was scheduled to begin at Beşiktaş Square.
Equestrian enthusiasts also took part in a commemorative journey along the 95-kilometer Istiklal Road, a historic route used to transport weapons and ammunition from İnebolu during the War of Independence.
Organized for the third time by the Equestrian and Culture Association, the two-day ride brought together 45 riders from across Türkiye to honor those who supported the independence struggle.
On the Bosphorus, the Presidential International Yacht Races’ Republic Cup brought together more than 650 sailors representing over 65 teams.
The competition formed the fourth and final leg of the series’ seventh edition. It began in front of Dolmabahçe Palace under the auspices of the Presidency, with support from the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the Youth and Sports Ministry and other institutions.
With Turkish flags flying from their boats, crews competed along one of Istanbul’s most recognizable waterways as part of the Republic Day celebrations.
Municipalities and local sports organizations also arranged activities for younger participants, including athletics festivals, canoeing and kayaking events, and open sessions at sports facilities.
Nationwide celebrations underline unity
The sports community’s commemorations formed part of a broader program of events across Türkiye, including flag processions, torchlight marches, student performances and public ceremonies.
In Samsun, a 1,919-meter Turkish flag referenced the year Atatürk arrived in the city and began the national struggle that ultimately led to independence.
Other celebrations included ceremonies at monuments, public gatherings and free admission to military museums and naval vessels.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will continue to be held every two years after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed its controversial decision to move the tournament to a four-year cycle, citing the financial and developmental interests of African football.
CAF’s Executive Committee Thursday unanimously approved the return to the traditional biennial format, less than a year after announcing plans to reduce the tournament’s frequency and introduce a new continental competition to fill the gap.
AFCON has traditionally been staged every two years, but CAF announced in December 2025 that it would move to a four-year cycle, with the proposed CAF Nations League taking its place as the continent’s biennial national team competition.
The decision drew an unfavorable response, particularly among stakeholders concerned about the tournament’s importance to African football and the financial implications of replacing one of the continent’s most valuable sporting properties.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe had already indicated that the governing body was reconsidering the arrangement during its strategy conference in Cape Verde earlier this month, where he signaled that the Executive Committee would review the proposed changes.
The financial sustainability of African football emerged as a central consideration in the reversal. CAF acknowledged that the proposed Nations League would take several years to generate sufficient revenue to support the development of football across the continent and provide the financial resources needed by its 54 member associations.
AFCON remains one of the confederation’s most important commercial assets, generating substantial income through broadcasting rights, sponsorships and other commercial partnerships. Replacing it with a new competition would therefore have created uncertainty over revenue during the years required for the Nations League to establish itself.
Motsepe said restoring the two-year cycle was intended to protect the interests of African football and its member associations, as well as players representing clubs outside the continent.
“The decision by the CAF Executive Committee to reinstate the organization of the AFCON every two years aims to advance, protect and promote the interests of African football and the 54 CAF Member Associations, as well as those of African players playing for clubs outside the continent,” Motsepe said.
The decision also preserves a regular platform for African national teams to compete for continental honors, while ensuring that member associations continue to benefit from the tournament’s commercial opportunities.
Under the revised schedule, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 edition, marking a significant moment for East African football. The three countries will be followed by tournaments in 2028, 2031 and 2033.
There will be no AFCON in 2030, as CAF will maintain its practice of avoiding a tournament in a FIFA World Cup year.
The return to a biennial schedule also means African players based in Europe and other overseas leagues will continue to face the scheduling challenges associated with AFCON.
The tournament has frequently coincided with the European domestic season, forcing clubs to release players during important stages of their campaigns. The proposed four-year cycle had offered a potential way to reduce those disruptions, but CAF’s latest decision places greater emphasis on the financial stability of African football and the interests of its member associations.
The proposed Nations League, meanwhile, remains part of CAF’s longer-term plans rather than an immediate replacement for AFCON.
Lewis Hamilton has shifted his focus from the drivers’ championship to helping Ferrari secure second place in the constructors’ standings, acknowledging that another Formula One title is beyond his reach this season.
Finishing as runners-up would mark an improvement on Ferrari’s performance last year and provide a stronger foundation heading into the 2027 campaign.
With five races remaining on the 2026 calendar, including this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, Hamilton sits third in the drivers’ standings with 241 points, just one behind Mercedes’ George Russell. Russell’s teammate Kimi Antonelli leads with 365 points and is closing in on the title.
However, Hamilton says overtaking Russell is not his priority, with the seven-time world champion more concerned about Ferrari’s efforts to maintain second place behind championship leader Mercedes in the constructors’ standings.
“Second place is not something I focus on. Winning the championship is the only thing I care about,” Hamilton said Thursday.
After a 12-year stint with Mercedes, where he won six of his world titles, Hamilton joined Ferrari last year with the goal of returning the Prancing Horse to the top. The team finished fourth in 2025.
“There’s a good vibe and more energy this season,” he said. “Last year wasn’t much fun for any of us. We’ve come a long way.”
Ferrari now holds a 119-point lead over Red Bull and McLaren in the battle for second place, thanks to strong performances over the last three races. Hamilton finished third at the Bahrain Grand Prix, while his teammate Charles Leclerc claimed third-place finishes in Singapore and the United States.
“In the constructors’ championship, both drivers have reached the podium over the last three races. Between Charles and me, we’ve come a long way,” Hamilton said. “And this is just the beginning. There’s more to come.”
Ferrari has had 16 world champion drivers and won 15 constructors’ championships. However, its most recent drivers’ title came with Kimi Räikkönen in 2007, while its last constructors’ championship was in 2008.
“My sole focus is making sure we secure second place in the constructors’ championship. The team deserves it,” Hamilton said. “It’s a huge improvement over last year and something we can build on for next year.”
Following the Mexico City Grand Prix, Formula One is scheduled to race in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“After this weekend, I will use the races as a test for next year’s championship, looking at how we can improve the car,” Hamilton said. “That is my sole focus: ensuring we have the right brakes for next year and confirming that our engine outperforms the others.”
More than 650 sailors battled rain, wind and strong currents on the Istanbul Bosporus on Thursday as the Republic Cup, the fourth stage of the 7th Presidential International Yacht Races, brought Republic Day celebrations to the iconic waterway.
The race started in front of Dolmabahçe Palace on Oct. 29, marking the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923. More than 65 teams took part, with yachts decorated in Turkish flags creating a striking spectacle along the strait.
Organized by the Istanbul Offshore Yacht Racing Club under the auspices of the Presidency, the event received contributions from the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry, in cooperation with the Istanbul Governor’s Office and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA).
Despite rainy weather and challenging sailing conditions, competitors navigated the Bosporus’ shifting winds and currents in a race that tested their strategy, tactical judgment and endurance.
The fleet transformed the waterway into a sea of red and white as sailors carried the Republic Day celebrations onto the water. Residents gathered along the Bosporus shoreline to watch the competition and share in the national holiday festivities.
Ekrem Yemlihaoğlu, president of the Istanbul Offshore Yacht Racing Club, said holding the Republic Cup on the Bosporus on such a significant national occasion gave the event special meaning.
“We are proud to celebrate the 103rd anniversary of our Republic in the unique atmosphere of the Istanbul Bosporus, with sails coming together under our star and crescent flag,” Yemlihaoğlu said.
He said more than 650 athletes had brought the spirit of Republic Day to the sea, adding that the Turkish flags flying across the fleet symbolized the country’s independence and republican heritage.
Yemlihaoğlu also paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic, and those who helped establish it, while extending his Republic Day greetings.
Season title still up for grabs
Thursday’s Republic Cup was the fourth and final stage of the 2026 series, with the overall championship determined by points accumulated across the season.
Teams were competing not only for honors in the Bosporus race but also for the season title, which will go to the crew with the highest cumulative score across all stages.
The championship has featured several competitions throughout the year, combining offshore and inshore sailing with national commemorative events.
The Republic Cup brings the series’ competitive program toward its conclusion, with additional buoy races and island courses scheduled for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
The remaining competitions will feature different sailing categories, including ORC, IRC, Sportsboat and cruising divisions.
Winners will receive their trophies at an awards ceremony scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1, at Fişekhane in Istanbul.
After more than a decade of disappointment, controversy and injury, Alexander Zverev will now rise to world number one for the first time in his career when the rankings are updated on Monday.
The 29-year-old German won his first two Grand Slam titles this year. He was sure to finish the year as number one after Jannik Sinner, who won the season-ending ATP Finals last year, ended his season prematurely because of injury.
Zverev completed the job early, however, as he secured the points he needed by beating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor on Thursday to book his spot in the quarterfinals at the Vienna Open.
“(It is) very special. To have the feeling to be on the top of the world is amazing,” Zverev said.
“It is different than winning a tournament or a title, but it’s such a special feeling to know that the No. 1 is going to be next to your name when the new rankings come out.”
Zverev became the 30th man to hold the No. 1 spot since the rankings were first published in 1973. Only John Newcombe, who was aged 30 upon his ascension in 1974, was older when he first rose to the top.
Zverev was born in Hamburg, but his mother and father had both played tennis to a high level in the old Soviet Union.
“For me, my family is everything and I owe them a lot for helping me to become the tennis player that I am today,” Zverev has said.
He was tipped for stardom from his youth, but his path has been anything but smooth. He lives with diabetes and in 2022 suffered a career-threatening ankle injury at the French Open.
He also plays in the shadow of domestic violence allegations by two former partners, Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea, which he has strenuously denied.
The ATP Tour investigated one claim and found insufficient evidence to punish Zverev.
The case involving Patea, the mother of his daughter, led to a 2023 penalty order and fine from a German court.
Zverev appealed and the two reached a settlement in June of 2024 – hours before he was due to play in the French Open semi-finals.
Highs and lows
Zverev, who idolized Roger Federer growing up, made his first Grand Slam final in 2020 at the U.S. Open, agonisingly losing in five sets to Dominic Thiem after being 2-0 up.
“That was exactly the time when I had real struggles with my serve and my second serve,” he said of that match.
“I knew that my serve could break down at any moment. That’s one difference that I do feel now, luckily for me.”
His seemingly unstoppable rise was temporarily halted when he tore ankle ligaments while playing Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros semis two years later and he underwent surgery.
Returning in January 2023, Zverev captured a 20th career title in Hamburg before having a fine 2024 season, in which he powered into the French Open final and surged to world number two, dispelling concerns that he was mentally frail.
“In the life of a professional athlete, you will have the highest highs and the lowest lows,” said Zverev.
“Getting caught up in the lows is the biggest mistake that you can make.
“You shouldn’t try to evaluate everything when times are tough, you should try to find ways to get better when you’re on a high.”
A third Grand Slam final defeat followed at the 2025 Australian Open, in straight sets to Sinner.
There were successes along the way, the most notable a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where he stunned Novak Djokovic before taking down Karen Khachanov in the final.
But doubts about whether or not he would break his Grand Slam duck resurfaced as Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominated men’s tennis by winning nine consecutive majors between them.
Zverev says he never lost faith that he could break through.
“I believed in it. I believed that it’s possible,” he told reporters after winning his second Grand Slam of the year in New York in September, adding with a laugh: “I think not many of you guys did.”
Turkish motorcycle racers Deniz Öncü and Kadir Erbay will compete in separate international series this weekend, with Öncü returning to action in the Moto2 World Championship at the Malaysian Grand Prix and Erbay closing his season at the Spanish Superbike Championship finale in Jerez.
Both events run from Friday through Sunday, giving the two riders an opportunity to strengthen their results as Öncü pursues points in the world championship and Erbay seeks a strong finish in Spain.
Öncü at Malaysian GP
Öncü will represent the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, the 19th round of the 2026 FIM Moto2 World Championship, at the Sepang International Circuit.
The 23-year-old from Alanya is 15th in the riders’ standings with 47.5 points after 18 rounds. He will look to improve his position in Malaysia after a seventh-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi and a 22nd-place result in Indonesia at Mandalika.
The Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island was canceled because of adverse weather, leaving the championship without a race at that round.
Öncü is competing in his first full season with the Belgian Marc VDS squad after leaving Red Bull KTM Ajo. He rides a Boscoscuro machine alongside Spanish teammate Arón Canet.
The Turkish rider made history in 2025 when he became the first Turkish competitor to win a Moto2 race. Victories at Aragón and the German Grand Prix helped him finish the season 12th overall with 100 points.
Sepang presents a different challenge, with its long straights, heavy braking zones and technical corners demanding precise bike setup and strong physical conditioning. High temperatures and humidity are also expected to test riders throughout the weekend.
The Moto2 race is scheduled for 17 laps on Sunday, with the start set for 1:15 p.m. local time, or 8:15 a.m. in Türkiye.
Friday’s program includes the opening practice sessions, followed by a second practice session and qualifying on Saturday. The race takes place Sunday as the championship moves toward its conclusion.
Malaysia is part of the final stretch of the season, with the Qatar, Portuguese and Valencia rounds still to come. Öncü will aim to convert his pace into a stronger race result as he seeks to climb the standings before the campaign ends.
Erbay at Spanish SBK
While Öncü competes in Malaysia, Turkish rider Kadir Erbay will take to the track in southern Spain for the final round of the 2026 Spanish Superbike Championship, competing in the Supersport category for I+DENT Racing.
The season finale will run from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, where titles across several categories will be decided. The event includes Superbike, Supersport NG, Sportbike and other classes, with races scheduled throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Erbay, born June 28, 2006, will begin the weekend with free practice on Friday before competing in qualifying on Saturday morning. His schedule includes the first Supersport race at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, followed by the second race at 3:10 p.m. Sunday, both Türkiye time, according to the announced program.
The two races give the young Turkish rider a final opportunity to collect championship points and finish the campaign with a strong performance.
Erbay has recorded promising results during the season, including podium finishes and competitive qualifying performances at earlier rounds such as Navarra. Jerez will provide another test of his pace and consistency against an experienced field on one of Spain’s established motorcycle racing circuits.
The Spanish championship has offered Erbay valuable experience in international competition, while the season finale provides a chance to build momentum for his next campaign.
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga have apologized for the French striker’s remarks about Mao Zedong, but experts warn that repairing their reputations in China could take considerable time.
The Real Madrid forward became embroiled in controversy after a video emerged this week showing him appearing to mock China’s former leader.
Mbappe said he had been amused by an internet meme that superimposed his face onto an image of Mao, describing the figure as “some guy, think he’s a Chinese dictator.”
Mao remains officially revered in China as the leader of the communist revolution and the founder of the People’s Republic of China. Although historians hold him responsible for policies that led to millions of deaths, public mockery of the former leader remains taboo.
The controversy has made Mbappe the latest international sports figure to provoke anger in China, where remarks perceived as disrespectful toward the country’s political leadership can carry significant reputational consequences.
Major Chinese brands have cut ties with the 27-year-old, and Spanish top-flight matches will be removed from state broadcaster CCTV.
Chinese state media and social media users have lambasted Mbappe, although many were left unaware of his exact remarks.
China has the world’s second-largest economy and offers significant commercial opportunities. Within two days, Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga had all issued apologies.
A spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry said the Chinese government took Mbappe’s apology “seriously.”
‘Serious damage’
So, is that the end of the matter?
“Viewed from a calm, objective and emotion-free standpoint, this is clearly a very damaging incident,” veteran sports commentator Yan Qiang told AFP.
“It causes serious damage to the image of La Liga and Real Madrid in China.
“In the age of the mobile internet, things blow up on social media quickly and emotions run high.
“An apology does not necessarily mean the end of the story.
“It’s better to have an apology than no apology at all, but it’s definitely not the end of the story.”
The Mbappe controversy and its fallout are not unfamiliar territory for international sports.
Various overseas sports leagues and athletes have faced backlash over comments on politically sensitive issues involving China.
China effectively cut ties with the NBA in 2019 after Daryl Morey, then the Houston Rockets’ general manager, tweeted his support for Hong Kong protesters.
NBA executives said Morey had the right to freedom of expression. In contrast, La Liga immediately distanced itself from Mbappe’s remarks.
The NBA, which is among the most popular sports leagues in China alongside football, was absent from CCTV for more than a year.
NBA preseason games returned to China last year.
Debby Chan, a lecturer at Australian National University, described the NBA case and the Mbappe controversy as examples of China’s consumer nationalism, in which online sentiment and state media converge to create “a spiral of outrage.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league lost “hundreds of millions of dollars” during the dispute.
No way back?
Spanish football also has much to lose.
A source within La Liga told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that China and the United States alone account for the “majority” of international broadcasting rights revenue, valued at 748 million euros ($834 million) for the 2024-25 season.
According to Marca, a newspaper affiliated with Real Madrid, the club generates between 10% and 15% of its jersey and merchandise sales in China.
Real Madrid also counts Chinese companies among its major sponsors, including Hisense, sports betting firm Kaiyun Sports and Linglong Tire.
Adam Zhang, founder of Beijing-based Key-Solution Sports Consulting, said a swift and heartfelt apology was the first step toward repairing the damage.
“This will influence the decision on whether to continue the broadcast ban and, if so, for how long,” he told AFP.
Yan questioned whether Mbappe, whose face has appeared on drinks bottles and in advertising campaigns in China, could ever fully restore his reputation.
“Judging by commercial sponsorships and big ad campaigns he appeared in during the World Cup, he has a huge influence in China,” he said.
“If that influence can’t be sustained, there can be no talk of commercial interests, and La Liga and Real Madrid will definitely be badly affected.”
Yan said it was “genuinely hard to predict” what would happen next.
“In the short term, I’m certainly not optimistic,” he added.
“If they want to repair their image and the relationship, their future actions and behavior will be key.”
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