07.03.2026 21:14
Kocaelispor, which organizes many events for children to support the city's team and develop their sense of belonging, surprised a young fan at home with a player dressed in a mascot costume. The young fan's hands trembled with excitement upon seeing his favorite player, Habip Ali Keita, in front of him.
Kocaelispor, which is known for the passion and loyalty of its fans who fill the stands at every match as much as the struggle it shows on the field in the Trendyol Super League, continues its organized events to integrate with the city even during the month of Ramadan.
SURPRISE WITH A MASCOT FROM KOCAELİSPOR
With the motto "Children in this city support Kocaelispor," the green-blacks organize many special events for young fans to love Kocaelispor and take their place in the stands in the future. This time, the surprise came from the community's mascot, Mr. Gulf. The event, which provided unforgettable moments for children, families, and even football players, included Malian midfielder Habip Ali Keita.
HABIP ALİ KEITA DREW HIS NAMESAKE ALİ SARP IN THE RAFFLE
The green-blacks, who gifted player cards to children going to the match and gave away jerseys in a raffle when they completed their own starting 11, surprised the Büyük Family yesterday. Children who completed their cards registered their names to participate in the raffle at the special booth for them during the last home match, adding their favorite football players. Footballer Habip Ali Keita drew the name of the little fan who would win a jersey at the club. Habip Ali Keita drew his namesake, 11-year-old Ali Sarp Büyük, in the raffle.
FOUND A MASCOT WHILE WAITING FOR GUESTS
The family was informed that Ali Sarp, who won the raffle, would be gifted a jersey and that they would go to their home with the club's mascot, Mr. Gulf, before iftar, and it was requested that Ali Sarp not be informed to keep it a surprise. Kocaelispor Club's Organization Manager Mehmet Açık and Habip Ali Keita, dressed in the Mr. Gulf costume, knocked on the family's door. When Ali Sarp opened the door and saw the adults in Kocaelispor jerseys and the mascot, he was astonished. The mother Zeynep Büyük, father Hakan Büyük, and sister Duru Büyük, who were unaware of the organization details, could not hide their surprise.
COSTUME CAME OFF, KEITA APPEARED
It was said that the mascot Mr. Gulf, who entered the house to deliver the jersey, also wanted to have iftar with the family. As the fast was broken, Mr. Gulf took off his costume and was seen by the family as Habip Ali Keita. The little fan Ali Sarp, whose hands trembled with excitement, hugged Keita to overcome his astonishment. The footballer Habip Ali Keita and young fan Ali Sarp shared their feelings with İhlas News Agency (IHA) reporter while playing the darbuka together and spending time in the room.
'IT WAS A BIG SURPRISE'
Ali Sarp, who stated that he was happier than on his birthday and showed his trembling hands with excitement, said, "I didn't expect it at all. My dad said, 'A guest is coming.' That's why we prepared. The door rang, and when Kocaelispor came in, I was very surprised. Then I saw Mr. Gulf. My favorite football player. I experienced all the emotions. Keita came out from inside. At first, I was surprised, I froze. It was more surprising than my birthday." His sister Duru Büyük said, "When Keita came out from the mascot, I froze just like Sarp, I was very surprised. It was really beautiful, it was a big surprise."
HABIP ALİ KEITA: 'I WILL GIFT HIM MY JERSEY'
Footballer Habip Ali Keita, who was excited to have drawn his namesake in the raffle and said that he was very happy with the time he spent, expressed his feelings by saying, "Being with the little one's family really made me very happy. I was happy because he was happy. I hope we meet again on the field. I will gift him my jersey."