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ANKARA: Sports Sociologist: Don't Mix Sports And Politics In Armenia

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  • ANKARA: Sports Sociologist: Don't Mix Sports And Politics In Armenia

    SPORTS SOCIOLOGIST: DON'T MIX SPORTS AND POLITICS IN ARMENIA MATCH

    Today's Zaman
    Sept 3 2008
    Turkey

    The national football teams of Turkey and Armenia will compete on
    Saturday in Yerevan in a World Cup qualifying match that has drawn
    more interest from politicians and diplomats than the sports world,
    but a professor of sports sociology has warned that politicians should
    avoid mixing sports with politics.

    Professor Ozbay Guven, the head of sports sociology at the physical
    education and sports department at Gazi University, cautions that
    people shouldn't attach too much symbolism to this match and should
    not mix sports with diplomacy.

    A member of the International Society for the History of Physical
    Education and Sport (ISHPES), Guven talked to Today's Zaman about
    the high expectations of Saturday's Armenia-Turkey match.

    Noting that Turkish and Armenian sportsmen had competed many times
    in sports other than football in the past, Guven said it is normal
    for Turkish and Armenian nations to attach some symbolism to this
    match. "First of all, it was inevitable that one day Turkey would
    play against Armenia in such a match. Therefore, this event should be
    viewed with reason rather than sentimentality. Actually, Turkey should
    be happy as it will be playing against a weak team like Armenia. It
    is very unlikely that Armenia will be successful in this football
    match. They should regard this match against the Turkish national
    team as an opportunity for furthering their relations with Turkey
    and for the opening of borders," he says.

    Guven advised that the Turkish national team should not underestimate
    Armenia and that the Armenian national team should not give different
    or historical meanings to the football match. "Although our rival,
    the Armenian national team, seems to be an easy target, we should not
    underestimate them. We saw what happened when the Maltese national
    team played Turkey in 2007 and the game was equated to the Ottoman
    siege of Malta. It is completely wrong to add symbolism to football
    or other sports matches," he noted.

    Professor Guven also emphasized that both national teams, their
    players, their fans and their coaches should be ready to accept defeat
    or victory and behave with good sportsmanship.

    However, he said, the biggest responsibility falls on the shoulders
    of Armenians in this respect. "Armenians should refrain from bringing
    their ongoing propaganda against Turkey to the match and from fueling
    tensions and prejudices. This football match may serve as a first step
    toward the softening of relations and establishing friendship between
    the two countries. The media organizations from both countries should
    emphasize a love for sports," he says.

    Guven maintained that depending on the atmosphere of the first match
    in Yerevan, the second match in Turkey may be played in a tension-free
    environment. He said the Turkish national team has learned not to mix
    sports with diplomacy and foreign policy after obtaining considerable
    success at the world and European championships.

    "It seems that from the Turkish side, the match will be like a
    friendship match. Turkey took this approach when it played against
    Greece. If Armenian fans do not behave in a sportsmanlike manner,
    the match's atmosphere may be tense. Serious measures should be taken
    against provocation. Armenia should prevent Armenian fans from waving
    banners or placards with provocative messages. However, if the players
    or fans of one country attempt to provoke those of the other country,
    FIFA has serious sanctions in this regard. FIFA can easily find out
    who is right and who is wrong," he cautions.

    He explained that Armenia is a weak rival for Turkey and that its
    chances of defeating the Turkish national team are low. He suggested
    that neither side should view this match as a national cause.

    "While we see it as a sports contest, Armenians may turn it into a
    national cause. Our image in the contest will be positive or negative
    in the eyes of the world. This match may also serve to improve
    relations by giving both sides an opportunity to get to know each
    other and contribute to peace. It may bring us closer. Even if some
    unwanted things happen during the match, we should not allow this
    to have a negative effect on the lives of our Armenian citizens. Of
    course, this will boost national sentiments, but we should not forget
    the historical incidents in which acting out of emotion caused great
    harm to both societies. This should never be forgotten," he says.

    Guven added that while the Armenian national team is mediocre, it
    tends not to lose matches played at home, and therefore, the Turkish
    national team should be careful in the match.
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