Konya ready to host thousands in int’l event, says minister

Türkiye will hold fifth Islamic Solidarity Games in Konya, with some 4,000 international athletes coming to the central Anatolian province, Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu has said.

Konya is expected to host 6,000 people, including more than 4,000 athletes from 56 countries and tens of thousands of sports fans, said Kasapoğlu, adding that the facilities and human resource are ready for the event to be held in Konya between Aug. 9 and 18.

"The countdown has started. We will come together with the unifying power of sports in accordance with the spirit of the Islamic Solidarity Games. I wish success to the athletes that we expect to show a friendship in the strongest way." said Kasapoğlu.

"We are a hospitable, generous nation that brings justice, love and compassion wherever it goes in the world. Konya will host this organization in the best way possible," Kasapoğlu said, adding that the young volunteer staff will personally contribute.

Kasapoğlu visited Türkiye's first Olympic velodrome track and Olympic swimming pool, where the races will be held.

A FIBA approved basketball court will also be opened, according to the minister. Underlining that basketball is one of the branches the government care about the most, Kasapoğlu reiterated that 10,000 basketball hoops were installed in Konya earlier.

The minister also pointed out that all the facilities, which will be opened with a ceremony with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will continue to serve after the games. "They will make a great contribution not only locally, but also nationally and internationally," Kasapoğlu said.

The fourth of Islamic Solidarity Games were held in Azerbaijan between May 12 and 22, 2017. Türkiye ranked...