20.05.2025 13:20
The Turkish basketball player Cedi Osman, who plays for Panathinaikos, received a strong backlash in Greece for his post regarding May 19th, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. Osman's statement, "We are working to carry the legacy that Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk has bestowed upon us, the youth," was described as 'provocative' by the Greek press.
The Turkish basketball player Cedi Osman, who plays for the Greek team Panathinaikos, made a post in commemoration of May 19 Atatürk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day. The Greek press reacted by featuring the national basketball player's post on their headlines.
THE MAY 19 POST BECAME A CONTROVERSY
In his post, Cedi Osman stated, "We are working with all our might to carry the legacy that Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk has bestowed upon us, the youth, with determination and resolve. Happy May 19 Atatürk Memorial Youth and Sports Day."
THE GREEK PRESS REACTED
The Greek press reacted to the national basketball player's post by labeling it as "provocative." Additionally, many Greek fans made inappropriate comments on Cedi Osman’s social media posts.
In a news article on Toc, it was stated, "It is no coincidence that May 19 is a national anniversary in Turkey, while in Greece, 1994 was declared as the 'Day of Commemoration of the Greek Genocide in Asia Minor-Pontus.' No official or unofficial statement has yet been made regarding the athlete's post from Panathinaikos FC."
In a report on Sportime, it was mentioned, "Turkish basketball player Cedi Osman caused a major uproar by sending a supportive message to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who is directly linked to the tragic events that led to the uprooting and extermination of hundreds of thousands of Pontians, on May 19, the day of commemoration of the Pontus Genocide in Greece."