Galatasaray Club has The Rich Establishments
From wiki.cimbom.org
Translated by: Murat & Elif Gökçiğdem
The club who wears the red and yellow team colors proudly has gone through many managerial changes. Each management has worked hard to obtain various establishments and increase the assets of the club. In the earlier days, the club's management obtained the club house at the Hasnun Galip as well as the places at the island of Kurucesme and Karamis. More recently the club bought parcels at Riva and Florya to build training facilities.
The Florya training camp land was brought during the presidency of Suphi Batur, built and opened during Professor Ali Uras presidency and was expanded and improved during both Ali Tanriyar and Alp Yalman presidencies.
Today, when training camps are a big issue in the sports world, Galatasaray has resolved this important issue and can even be considered one of the richest teams with regards to training camp facilities. When the red and yellow club was first established, they had a hard time finding a place to practice. Finally, in 1925 the team rented a club house in Beyoglu and later in 1938, bought it.
After an unfortunate fire, the club house burnt down, however was rebuilt including the conference rooms and arenas during the presidency of Selahattin Beyazit.
Today, whenever anyone mentions the club house within Galatasaray, the establishment at Florya Metin Oktay comes to mind immediately. Not only can the team practice soccer at this sports camp, but there is an arena for basketball teams to practice as well.
In fact, one can say that in addition to the sports facilities, the camp also offers a complete resort atmosphere with rest and relaxation facilities as well as an active social life.
The Florya Oktay Sports Camp has recently purchased 47 acres of land next to its current establishment with the help of Dr. Ali Tanriyar.
At Riva, the Galatasaray club has a large piece of land (approximately 1,175,000 square meters) which has purchased for the club by Selahattin Beyazit. Plans to develop this site are in the works.
The land and establishment of Galatasaray at the Island of Kurucesme is said to be priceless at this time. This establisment is the most popular for social activities as well as summer swimming camps. One can say the club's establishment at Kalamis is used in the same aspect as of Kurucesme.
The Museum
The Galatasaray club has a colorful history which is reflected in its rich museum. It was established in 1913 at Kalamis by Ali Sami Yen and is considered one of the first museums in the world.
After Ali Sami Yen established it, the museum was expanded by Evliyazade Mahmut, Fait Ibrahim, Suphi Neset, Selahattin Feyzi and promoted by Ihsan Ipekci, Alaattin Sahinbay, Ihsan Belor, Abdi Ipekci, Ferruhzat Turac served the club for 35 years and brought the club to today's prestigious state.
Galatasaray High School and the Club's Relationship
The Galatasaray club was born because of its high school. In the beginning, it was a school team, all the team players were students who attended the school. Years later because of the competitiveness of the sports teams, the club had to recruit from outside. This action brought strong disagreements in 1933 between Ates and Gunes which eventually created two different "school-of-thought" among the members of the club. However, the school always continued to supply a rich source of team members.
In 1950, soccer was finally recognized as a professional sport and many team members were recruits from high school. The high school soccer field, Grand Cour, was used for practice for years and, on a few occasions, was even used for official games.
After 1950 and the recognition of the professional soccer team the relationship between the club and the school was not the same. The team members were recruited from outside rather than the school and this practice put distance between the club and the school. Today there is not one member of the Galatasaray club and its whole organization who is from this educational institution. One of the reasons is that it is hard - nearly impossible - to be professional soccer player and continue the high educational standards set by the school. Many students do not have the time to spare for sports. In addition, the distance between the school and the practice facilities make it hard for students to find the time to travel for practice.
The club however supports the school in many ways. The team members are role models for students and this is a loyal way to pay back the gratitude for the school starting up the team. The club also encourages the school's basketball and volleyball teams to compete nationally and internationally. In fact, the basketball team came in second worldwide during the 1985 competitions. Today, the basketball team who has Orhun Ene as a player won every single game with ease with the exception of the U.S.A. team. The school principal, Professor Dr. Erdogan Tezic who once was on the school's volleyball team, is trying hard to revive and maintain good relations with the sports team.
