North Cyprus table tennis federation accepted as BTTU observer member

The North Cyprus Table Tennis Federation has been accepted as an observer member of the Balkan Table Tennis Union (BTTU) at the union’s congress in Sarajevo, according to the North Cyprus Prime Ministry.

The development was discussed at a press conference attended by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel. Federation president Mustafa Bekiroğluları said the observer status does not include voting rights at the union’s general assembly, according to Halkın Sesi.

Üstel said the membership had been secured by a majority vote despite what he described as pressure and initiatives aimed at stopping the process. He also said the membership process had been conducted confidentially for a year before the federation was accepted.

Üstel said the second edition of competitions scheduled for 2028 would be held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Bekiroğluları separately said the federation had secured an agreement to host an organisation in 2028.

Bekiroğluları said the federation would participate in international organisations under the name KKTC. The evidence available does not provide further details about the competitions or the hosting agreement.

Üstel described the development as an important milestone for sport in North Cyprus. He said the government was continuing investments across several sporting disciplines, including table tennis, football, volleyball and basketball.

He also said work was continuing on a planned new sports complex intended to be built to FIFA and UEFA standards. Üstel said opponents had reported the project to international bodies, but that work would continue with contributions from sports writers, federation presidents and the Sports Department.

The prime minister also said the government would continue supporting and encouraging young people in sport.