Richard Beale ….
A unique sporting event happened on Tuesday March 19th when a friendly football match was played in Pyle between North Cypriot Super League team Mağusa Türk Gücü and South Cypriot First Division team NEA Salamina.
The match was organised by the Monaco based Peace and Sport Organisation and played at the Pyle Football Stadium, which is located just over the border at Beyarmudu.
The South Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades was in attendance, however North Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı “vetoed” the match. Its difficult to translate the reasons why President Akıncı did not attend the match. What I can gather is that he visited a bi-communal concert in Limassol a few years ago. He was disappointed that this match was held in the South, under UN supervision. He would have preferred the match to be played in a proper Stadium in Lefkoşa.
Representing the TRNC was Politician of the CTP Party Mr Asım Akansoy.
Also at the match was Easy Jet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
There was an opening ceremony involving children of both communities which was opened by the Ex Chelsea and Galatasaray star DIDIER DROGBA.
South Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades is introduced to the two teams and right football legend Didier Drogba opening the match.
The match was an “all ticket“ unfortunately I did not hear about this match until the last date for ticket allocation had closed.
The match was broadcast “live” to the TRNC by BRT television. The result which probably wasn’t that important finished 1-1. HALIL TURAN equalising for MTG in the second half.
The two Captains and action from the match
Photos ; courtesy of Arenaspor kolik.com
