A health sponsorship protocol signed between the TRNC National Olympic Committee and Near East University Hospital will provide comprehensive health support to athletes representing the TRNC and Turkey in international arenas, especially the Olympics.

Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, continues to expand its collaborations that contribute to the development of sports. The health processes of TRNC citizens who will represent the TRNC or Turkey in international organizations such as the Olympics, Paralympic Games, Islamic Games, Mediterranean Games, Balkan Games, and World and European Championships will be supported by Near East University Hospital in accordance with the health and education sponsorship protocol signed between the TRNC National Olympic Committee and Near East University.

Near East University Hospital had previously signed health sponsorship protocols with the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation, the TRNC Gymnastics Federation, the Kickboxing and Muaythai Federation, and the Northern Cyprus Touring and Automobile Association.

The protocol between the institutions came into effect with the signatures of Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, and Orçun Kamalı, President of the TRNC National Olympic Committee. The signing ceremony was also attended by Hasan Sapsızoğlu, President of the TRNC Gymnastics Federation and Member of the TRNC National Olympic Committee Board of Directors; Prof. Dr. Nazım Serkan Burgul, Dean of the Faculty of Sports Sciences at Near East University; Özlem Görgülü, General Manager of Near East Enterprises Hospitals; and Prof. Dr. Salih Müjdat Balkan, Chief Physician of Near East University Hospital.

Full Support for International Success!

Under the protocol signed between the TRNC National Olympic Committee and Near East University Hospital, the health processes of TRNC citizens who will represent the TRNC or Turkey in international organizations such as the Olympics, Paralympic Games, Islamic Games, Mediterranean Games, Balkan Games, and World and European Championships will be supported by Near East University Hospital. With the signed agreement, the examination, testing, and treatment processes of athletes will be covered by health insurance, and all athletes within the committee will benefit from discounted health services offered at Near East Institution Hospitals. Furthermore, joint work is planned in areas such as education, seminars, conferences, and social responsibility projects. Within the scope of the protocol, the two institutions will collaborate to organize basic first aid, trauma, and emergency response training for referees, officials, and athletes, as well as coaching courses, seminars, and athlete development programs. On the other hand, the managers, employees, and athletes covered by the protocol of the TRNC National Olympic Committee will be able to use the Near East Sports Tower and the Near East University Olympic Swimming Pool at discounted rates.

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “The seed we are planting today will one day grow into a tree under whose shade we can live in peace!”

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, stated that they are very happy to provide health support to the National Olympic Committee, as well as many other federations. Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot people possess a strong and hardworking structure that continues to produce despite all difficulties and embargoes, Prof. Dr. Günsel said, “Today we planted a seed. This step, when nurtured correctly, will transform into a powerful tree under whose shade we will all rest peacefully in the future.”

Drawing attention to the increasingly professional nature of sports, Prof. Dr. Günsel stated that there are significant shortcomings, particularly in athlete health and regular health check-ups. He emphasized the critical importance of athlete licensing processes and pre-competition health screenings, expressing his belief that this awareness will become even more widespread over time thanks to the support given to national sports by Near East University Hospital.

Orçun Kamalı: “Working together with institutions that earn in this country and contribute to this country in turn gives a much deeper meaning to the collaborations we undertake.”

Orçun Kamalı, President of the TRNC National Olympic Committee, stated that they consider serving the youth and sports of the country as their primary goal, and expressed their satisfaction with collaborating with institutions like the Near East Enterprises that invest in the country and reinvest their profits back into the community. Emphasizing that such collaborations add value to the country, Kamalı said, “Working together with institutions that earn in this country and contribute back to it gives our collaborations a much deeper meaning.”

Kamalı also stated that opportunities in all areas, especially health and education, are of great importance for athletes who will compete in the international arena, and expressed his belief that the signed protocol will provide significant contributions to young athletes.

Kamali stated that sports also play an important role in preventive health, noting that injuries, especially in elite athletes, can be managed more effectively with a strong healthcare infrastructure. Emphasizing that the habit of regular health check-ups should spread to the general public as well, Kamali said, “Sports are not only a competitive arena, but also one of the fundamental elements of a healthy life.”