Yalova FC have pioneered a new tournament aimed at bringing UK-based Turkish and Greek communities closer together.  The first annual pre-season Cyprus Peace Cup football tournament will be played between TCFF side Yalova and KOPA league representatives APOEL.

The one day tournament will be held at Aylands Open Space, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield on 22 August 2010 with 3 matches taking place between Yalova and APOEL’s U16, U18 and Senior teams. 

Speaking of the Cyprus Peace Cup, Yalova FC secretary and manager Jem Djemal said, “This idea was first thought up by our Head of Youth development Hasan Djemal.  As a club we immediately supported this fantastic initiative and contacted our friends at APOEL FC.  Our relationship with APOEL has grown to become very strong over the past year and so naturally they were our first port of call.  Thankfully they too liked the concept and offered their full support.  We are hoping this competition will grow to include other Turkish and Greek teams in future, and provide a foundation to bring both communities closer together through football – a game both Turks and Greeks have a strong passion for.”

APOEL secretary and Yalova close friend John Angeli commented, “When Jem contacted me with the idea I immediately offered my full support and got the backing of our board to participate.  As groundsman of Ayland Open Space, I have gotten to know the Yalova team and committee well over the past year.  They are a fantastic bunch of people and the Cyprus Peace Cup concept is credit to how the club is run and what it is aiming to achieve.  The one slight problem I do have however, is that we both wear yellow and blue so I am hoping our away kit arrives in time!”.

Cyprus Peace Cup conceptualist Hasan Djemal added, “Our relationship with APOEL was the basis for the Cyprus Peace Cup.  If a Turkish and Greek club can form such friendship and understanding in such a short time, surely other clubs within our respective communities can follow.  We wanted the first ever competition to be between Yalova and APOEL, but our aim is to grow this further and include other teams in future.  I invite Turkish and Greek football lovers to come along to Bullsmoor Lane on August 22nd to celebrate this momentous occasion.  Ela, Yala, Hopa…”

The event scheduled for 22 August 2010 kicks-off at 10:00am with U16 and U18 matches before the senior teams face each other at 12:00 noon.  Competition rules state the overall aggregate winner over the 3 games will take home the trophy.  You are invited to witness this historic occasion.