An event was held at Kervansaray Beach, with the slogan “We Are Aware of You”, where children with Down Syndrome and famous players enjoyed a football match together.
Kyrenia Municipality and the International Down Syndrome Federation organised a 
Beach Soccer Festival at Kervansaray Beach. Some of Turkey’s famous footballers, including Ergun Penbe and Ahmet Dursun played a match of football with Down Syndrome children.
Girne Mayor Nidai Güngördü, together with council members, Football Federation President Hasan Sertoğlu and citizens joined President Mustafa Akinci, for the opening of the Beach Football Festival with a match between famous footballers from various Turkish provinces and Turkish Cypriot Down Syndrome children. Following the match there was music and dancing.
Mustafa Akıncı said that when he and his wife Meral Akıncı met the children with Down Syndrome, he felt the warmth and love the children gave to the people. Mustafa Akinci, addressed the guests and participating organizations from Turkey, and said “We are always 
pleased to see you in Cyprus. This is also your home. We will always endure solidarity with the children with Down Syndrome in Cyprus”. He added that children with Down Syndrome had support from us and said, “When we come together with them, we see our own lacking, that is, unconditional love”.
Girne Mayor Nidai Güngördü said that he was happy to organize the Beach Football Festival, which was held in the form of awareness and entertainment at the same time as social responsibility. Nidai Güngördü noted that they are ready to give all kinds of support to individuals with Down Syndrome to keep their lives comfortable, for socialising and to have the place they deserve in society.
