The monumental statue of Atatürk, Tevfik Fikret and Ali Sami Yen was opened in front of Galatasaray Stadium.
The opening ceremony of the monument containing statues of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Tevfik Fikret and Ali Sami Yen built at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex within the framework of the 120th anniversary of the founding of Galatasaray Club. Galatasaray Club President Dursun Özbek, Vice President Metin Öztürk, Board President Aykutalp Derkan, yellow-red club board members and former club presidents Alp Yalman and Adnan Polat attended the ceremony held at RAMS Park. Speaking here, president Dursun Özbek said that the inauguration monument is more than just a statue and said: “We gather here today not to honor 3 great names but to bring together 3 values that shed light on the historical journey of Galatasaray and Türkiye. This statue is not just a monument. This statue is a symbol of a series of ideas and the journey of civilization. On the establishment of the High School Galatasaray, of which Tevfik Fikret is also the principal, the purpose of this institution is only to teach knowledge.” That's not true. The purpose of this institution is also to train young people who will serve their state and country. Years later, this vision became the bright path of the Republic of Türkiye under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Emphasizing that the Galatasaray Club, founded under the leadership of Ali Sami Yen, is more than just a sports club, he said, Özbek said: “Today, Atatürk's vision, Tevfik Fikret's ideology and Ali Sami Yen's beliefs are all united here, not in a statue but in an integrity of spirit. Atatürk brought the idea of freedom, of cosmopolitanism.” tradition and modernity to these lands. Tevfik Fikret taught his high school students the importance of a virtuous life. Ali Sami Yen introduced youth to sports and brotherhood. When these three come together, what emerges is Galatasaray. Tevfik Fikret is not only a big name in Turkish literature. As the club's patron president, he was one of the thinkers most importantly determines the character of Galatasaray. “The philosophy that inspired Atatürk, focusing on ethics, conscience and science, still flows through Galatasaray's veins to this day.” Sculptor Rahmi Aksungur said the work has been going on for more than a year and said: “I especially want to thank Eray Yazgan, Timur Kuban, Sedat Artukoğlu and Necmi Dilmen in the process. They have been very supportive. I would also like to thank the Committee for the Centenary of the Republic.” he said. After the speech, Dursun Özbek together with Alp Yalman and Adnan Polat unveiled the statue. Additionally, at the ceremony, members of the “Committee for the 100th Anniversary of the Republic” received their plaques from Özbek.
