Turkish Sport takes Centre Stage at IHT Sport Business Summit

Top industry experts from around the world convene in 2020 Candidate City

Istanbul; 12 May 2013: The International Herald Tribune Sport Business Summit concluded in the heart of Istanbul today, having further demonstrated the city’s rise to prominence in world sport ahead of the Bid Committee’s presentation to the Association of National Olympic Committees in Lausanne on Saturday.

The summit drew some of the world’s most respected sports industry experts to Istanbul to discuss the key issues at the top of the world’s sport agenda. Specialist speakers included: Phillip Müller-Wurth, Executive Officer of UNESCO; Patrick Nally, CEO of West Nally; and Sergey Bubka, UNESCO Champion for Sport, all of whom spoke about creating the blueprint for sport. Jordi Bertomeu, CEO of Euroleague Basketball addressed how to use sport to drive social change; and Michael Payne, Chairman and CEO of Payne Sports Media Strategies, discussed the role of the Olympic Games in the 21st Century.

Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Egemen Bağış, and President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee, Professor Uğur Erdener, provided an insight into the huge investment in sports infrastructure and participation which has taken place in Istanbul and throughout Turkey.

Addressing the delegates at the opening of the conference, Professor Uğur Erdener, said:

"Sport has never been stronger in Turkey. Our National Sports Plan means $500 million per year for sports development at every level, from grassroots to elite. Turkey is investing another $2.5 billion in nearly 700 sports facilities and 25 stadiums across the country. Many world-class venues are already in place – venues such as Seyrantepe Stadium, Ataköy Arena, Ataköy Dome and Ataşehir Arena have risen in just the last five years. This has allowed us to host 40 major competitions in the last seven years, including several world championships in just the last 12 months."

Chairman of the Istanbul 2020 Bid Committee, Hasan Arat, said:

"Over the last seven years Istanbul has proven itself as a trusted and effective host. Hosting the IHT Sport Business Summit demonstrates that Istanbul’s growing profile within the world of sport is being recognised, as the industry’s leading experts are increasingly choosing to visit Istanbul to hold major meetings and conferences. Just last month Istanbul hosted Stadia & Arena 2013, one of Europe’s leading sports venue conferences. Hosting these events provides us with an invaluable opportunity to listen and learn in order to guarantee that we are able to provide the best possible experience for the Olympic family."

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