Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mahmut Özgener handed the bid dossier of Turkey's candidature for EURO 2016 to UEFA today. The ceremony was held in the UEFA Headquarters in the Swiss city of Nyon. 

Turkish delegation consisted of Turkish State Minister for Sports Faruk Nafız Özak, TFF President Mahmut Özgener, TFF Vice-Presidents Lutfi Arıboğan and Servet Yardımcı, TFF Board Members Levent Kızıl, Zafer Yıldırım and TFF General Secretary Ahmet Güvener.

UEFA National Competitions Committee Chairman and UEFA Executive Committee Member Dr. Gilberto Madail made the opening speech in the ceremony. After this speech, France, Italy and Turkey handed their bid dossiers to UEFA officials respectively.

In the ceremony, TFF President Mahmut Özgener also made a five-minute speech. Özgener was accompained by  Mr. Özak, Mr. Arıboğan, TFF Deputy General Secretary and EURO 2016 Project Coordinator Orhan Gorbon, Women international player Filiz Koç and senior Turkish international player Nihat Kahveci on the stage.

The complete text of Turkish Football Federation President Mahmut Özgener's speech in the ceremony is as follows:
Dear Mr. Platini, Mr. Madail, Mr. Been, Mr. Infantino and Mr. Marchetti, dear Ladies and Gentleman from UEFA, dear Guests and Media representatives,
On behalf of the Turkish Government represented here by our Minister of Sports Mr. Faruk Nafiz Özak, the Turkish Football Federation and the entire Turkish Nation, I have the great honor to present you today our Bid Book.

Since April 2009 numerous people have developed these great bid books and annexes through hard work in a strong team effort.  The foundation of our bid goes back almost 10 years, when Turkey and Greece shared the dream of hosting the EURO 2008 for the first time ever in our region.
Meanwhile, we have done our homework and with the bidding experiences of 2008 and 2012 we feel "mature" enough to say loud and proud: 
With UEFA's decision and support: Europe will discover a UEFA EURO 2016 "like never before".

The final concept of the EURO 2016 in Turkey foresees the tournament to be played in eight beautiful cities with nine stadiums. Seven totally new, state-of-the-art stadiums will rise. Two of our existing stadiums will be refurbished. Our UEFA EURO 2016 concept is tailor made for the 24 teams and their supporters. Our concept also guarantees a sustainable legacy for our country and the football family.

UEFA will enjoy the assurance of immaculate planning "like never before". All projects will be financed by the Central Government, guaranteed by Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This guarantee of 920 million Euros is more than just a promise.

The project is well integrated into a Turkish infrastructure investment plan of 27 Billion Euros spread over the next six years, which will be implemented regardless of the outcome of the bid. Both financial guarantees underline the dedication of our Prime Minister and his entire government to help us host this major football event.

In this context our Prime Minister Mr. Erdogan asked me to convey his warm words to you:

"Dear UEFA President Monsieur Platini,
It is our privilege to bid for the UEFA EURO 2016. Turkey is aware of the strength of each competing candidate and importance of EURO 2016 for each country.
The EURO championship is the most valuable asset UEFA can award to a nation. Turkey is prepared and is fully devoted to host the EURO 2016. On behalf of the Turkish Government I can guarantee you: We are committed, We are passionate, and We are ready."
Dear members of the Football family,

Turkey has never hosted the UEFA EURO Championships before. Furthermore, Turkey is a nation with the healthiest and fastest growing economy in Europe. If Turkey is awarded with EURO 2016, UEFA will gain a new frontier through a very large and dynamic market.

Numerous ethnic groups, religions and languages live harmoniously together in a country of more than 70 million people, with an average age of 28 years. The citizens of Turkey are united by their tremendous love and devotion to football.

We believe that by awarding Turkey with the EURO 2016; UEFA can take an important step towards establishing and supporting unity among different cultures.
There is no better way to showcase the uniting power of football than holding this tournament in a peaceful and multi-cultural country which embraces all religions and beliefs. We know that with our official hand over, it's now in your hands to evaluate our bid. We are ready to receive your feedback and we are ready to learn from your advice.

The next time when we meet on April 7th, you will experience our football culture, our worldwide known hospitality, our traditional but modern society and most importantly; our unprecedented passion for football. As a symbol of our bid, I would like to present you a candy tulip which is our way of inviting the football family to Turkey in 2016 for EURO. Emerging from Turkey, the tulip captured the European gardens in the middle of the 16th century. It is a multicolored symbol for a new dynamic beginning, like the blossoming of spring. Similarly for Turkey, the award to host the UEFA EURO 2016 would mark a new age. Turkish sweets will spoil and convince you to come and enjoy a EURO 2016 "like never before".

EURO 2016 Adaylık Dosyası teslim edildi