The 12th of the “Osman Maraşlı Triad Beach Volleyball Memorial Tournament” which is organized annually by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Sports Affairs Directorate in memory of Turkish Cypriot late volleyball coach Osman Maraşlı, took place at the EMU Beach Club facilities on 28-29 September, 2024. The event was attended by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Vice Rector for Financial Affairs Prof. Dr. Salih Katırcıoğlu, Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu, Sports Affairs Directorate personnel members along with many volleyball enthusiasts and spectators. The champions of the tournament were determined through semi-final and final matches played on Sunday, 29 September, 2024.
EMU Sports Affairs Coordinator Aydın Kayol and Sports Affairs personnel Ecevit Cankat thanked everyone who have contributed in the actualization of 12th Osman Maraşlı Triad Beach Volleyball Memorial Tournament. Reminding everyone that organizing an event is a team work, Kayol underscored that they will continue to organize the event every year.
Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu also delivered a speech, emphasizing the high level of participation in the 12th Osman Maraşlı Tridad Beach Volleyball Memorial Tournament. Prof. Dr. Zorlu stated that the aim of organizing the event is to pay tribute to the late volleyball trainer along with providing students the opportunity to engage with sports. Wishing all the participating athletes good luck, Prof. Dr. Zorlu conveyed her thanks to those who contributed to the event.
Making remarks on the topic, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç expressed the university’s contentment in organizing the said event and, added that Famagusta is a city of sports and the sports culture is strong within the city. Stressing that as the EMU, they always strive to offer the youth every aspect of sports through a sports infrastructure along with the academic studies, and encourage students to take part in sports, Prof. Dr. Kılıç thanked everyone attending and contributing the event.
Following the final matches, an award ceremony was held where the winning teams received trophies and cash prizes. The ranking teams in the EMU 12th Osman Maraşlı Memorial Tournament is as follows:
Tridad Men’s:
- İsmail – Tunç – Umut
- Süleyman – Douglas – Kunter
- Oktay – Devrim – Ahmet
- Ali – Münür – Cafer
- Yasin – Arya – Amir
- Umut – Artemis- Mohamat
Under 19 Mixed:
- İsmahan – Osman – Mehmetali
- Arda – Ersen – Nehir
- Ahmet – Mustafa – Şerifenaz
- Ammar – Yusuf – Hatice
Special Award:
Strongest Woman: İsmahan Gedik
Strongest Man: Umut Aksular
Best Spectator: Hatice Reynar
Best Amateur: Tunç Derebey
Best Young Athlete: Hatice
What did the partcipants say?
İsmahan – Osman – Mehmetali (Winners of ‘Under 19 Mixed Group’): We thank EMU for annually organizing this tournament. This tournament is one of the best tournaments that have been organized. We hope that the level of participation increases with each passing year. We thank those who contributed in the organization of the event.
İsmail – Tunç – Umut (Winner of ‘Tridad Men’s’): As a student of our late coach Osman Maraşlı, I am thrilled to conclude the tournament as the champions along with my teammates. We extend our sincerest gratitude to EMU for organizing the tournament.
Süleyman – Douglas – Kunter (Runner Up of ‘Tridad Men’s): We extend our thanks to everyone involved in the organization of the event. They hosted us very beautifully throughout the day. It was quite enjoyable. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the organization. We will continue to participate in the coming years as well.
Sedat Kılıç (Referee): We would like to thank EMU for organizing the last tournament of the season. The contributions of late Osman Maraşlı to the TRNC volleyball is significant. I convey my gratitude and thanks to everyone contributing to the actualization of this event organized as a tribute to the late athlete.
Ahmet Ogan: We feel immense happiness that EMU, one of the most important universities of Famagusta, hosted such a meaningful event. We commemorate our late Osman Maraşlı Hoca with great longing. Famagusta is the first thing comes to one’s mind when talking about volleyball. I extend my thanks to EMU and its team members for this event.
Nafi Çetintaş (Father of Osman Çetintaş): We commemorate our late volleyball coach Osman Maraşlı with this meaningful event each year. Osman Çetintaş, one of the Champion Angels, had participated in this tournament for many years. We hope that the justice will be served after the trial to be held in Adıyaman on 22 October 2024.