At the charter amendment congress of Fenerbahçe Club, the management was authorized to change the name of Ülker Stadium Şükrü Saracoğlu Sports Complex to “Atatürk”.
At the club’s bylaws amendment congress held at Ülker Sports and Event Hall, after the bylaw changes on some articles, the voting section regarding the change of the stadium’s name was started.
The President made a speech before the voting started. Ali Koçstated that he saw that some members had concerns about the use of club facilities by political parties, and said, “Unfortunately, Article 3 does not stop them. In our opinion, there is no problem in any way. In our Presidency, political parties have wanted to rent our facility, but none of them have been allowed, based on our statute. Our friends have approved the article.” “He took it and put it somewhere else, but we cannot explain. If desired, the old item can be put back as a special item,” he said.
Stating that a congress took place with high participation and that the number of members attending the congress exceeded 8 thousand 500 as of 15.30, Koç thanked the members and said, “Today, Fenerbahçe Sports Club, that is, we, once again, demonstrated in the most meaningful way how the community, which has set an example for everyone, embraces and cares about its club.” “We have demonstrated our difference once again. The numbers tell everything. I hope we can continue this ownership in the stands and halls during the season,” he said.
“One of the first things we did was to meet with the Saracoğlu family”
Stating that they took action in line with the demands for the stadium to bear the name “Atatürk” and that concerns were voiced at this congress, such as “What will the name Şükrü Saraçoğlu be?”, Koç said that they met with the Saraçoğlu family and received their approval with the following words:
“Of course, one of the first things we did while we were managing this process was to meet with the Saracoğlu family. We were going to visit them, they showed once again how kind and respectable they are, they said, ‘We will come to you, not you.’ They came. They knew why they came. We couldn’t get into the topic, but. We talked about history, years, family, our Turkey, we couldn’t get into the topic. 1 hour passed, I said, ‘Let’s come to our main topic.’ The family said.
“I can guarantee this under our management; the name Saracoğlu will definitely be kept alive somewhere in the Fenerbahçe world,” said Koç and continued his words as follows:
“I ask you not to have an iota of doubt about this. We also visited the great Fenerbahce player Murat Ülker. I would like to thank him for his warm approach to the issue. Then there were various opinions; how to get sponsors to our stadium, etc. We thought in detail and brought it to your approval, thinking that in the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, the name of the temple of Fenerbahçe Sports Club, which has earned the sympathy and praise of Fenerbahçe, which is closely attached to its Ata, and deservedly bears the name of Atatürk, would be very appropriate.”
These words were applauded by the members in the hall and the slogan “We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal” was chanted.
“As soon as we get approval, the necessary legal processes will be initiated”
Ali Koç also stated that no matter what the name of the stadium, hall or facility is, this community will always walk in the light of Atatürk and said, “We have no doubt about this. If we receive approval, the necessary legal processes will be initiated. And we will knock on the door of our state for the necessary approval process. “I have no doubt that they will welcome us with understanding, I hope I am not wrong. If the stadium of one of the big clubs is to be named Ataturk, this would suit us best,” he said.
Noting that they went through the times when they needed to be shoulder to shoulder the most, Ali Koç said that the meeting here gave them courage.
Making a speech, the Chairman of the Supreme Council, Uğur Dündar, and some members said that it would be appropriate to change the name of the stadium to “Atatürk”.
Management has been authorized
Then, voting started on the name of the stadium. Members stood up with Vefa Küçük’s warning and asked, “Do you approve of changing the name of the stadium?” He raised his hand in response.
After all members raised their hands, the management was unanimously authorized to change the name of Ülker Stadium Şükrü Saracoğlu Sports Complex to “Atatürk”.