UYAFA’s representative Necat Akman hosted Yattara in Mardin

İbrahim Yattara, the Trabzonspor legend, met football fans and former Mardin players at Mini Football Mardin. He also met Necat Akman, the Mardin representative who plays an active part in bringing children in the province into sport.

Yattara took the field in the celebrity exhibition match at the Mini Football Mardin semi-finals, held on 12, 13 and 14 August, and gave the crowd a day to remember. During the event he visited the districts of Artuklu, Kızıltepe, Midyat and Nusaybin, met residents, posed for many photographs and talked with supporters.

As part of his visit, Yattara called on Necat Akman, provincial representative of the International Talent Scouts Football Academy (UYAFA) in Mardin. Akman said hosting him was both a pride and a pleasure: “Welcoming a footballer like Yattara, who has earned the affection and respect not only of Trabzonspor but of every club, means a great deal to our province. Drawing on what he knows and what he has seen inspires our young people. We told him about the work we do as the UYAFA Mardin representation and about the tournaments we organise. He liked it very much and congratulated us.”

On their conversation, Akman said: “We recalled memories, we laughed, we were moved, and we had a very good time. In south-eastern Anatolia we need educational programmes and campaigns to bring our children and young people into sport and draw them to football. For that purpose, former players like Yattara matter to us: talented, in love with the game, warm, respectful towards opponents, admired across the board. With his bearing and his energy he set an example for our young people and gave us an unforgettable day. I thank the Mardin authorities and institutions who brought him to us.”

Thanking Akman for his welcome, Yattara said: “Mardin is a truly captivating city. I invite everyone to come and see it. It is a wonderful thing, and I was genuinely happy. I congratulate and thank all of you who brought me here. I hope events like this bring good things for the children and for the Mardin community. I have lived in Turkey for 22 years and this is the first time I have come to Mardin, and I am very glad I did. The people here are very good, very fine people. I hope to come back.”