Enabling the love of basketball to extend its reach to wider masses ever since the day it was founded, Anadolu Efes Sports Club has held a “Fans’ Meetup” at Abdi İpekçi Arena. Moderated by the General Director Alper Yılmaz, the event has allowed basketball enthusiasts to share all their suggestions and feedback about the club. Expressing his gratitude for the high turnout, Alper Yılmaz has stated that they will continue to hold fans’ meetups throughout the season.
At the “Fans’ Meetup”, Anadolu Efes Sports Club has hosted basketball enthusiasts who were always with the team, and supported Anadolu Efes everywhere with heartfelt enthusiasm.
In the event, the fans have shared all their opinions and feedback about the club with Alper Yılmaz, while Yılmaz gave sincere responses to all the questions directed to him.
“We made some modifications to the budget”
Talking about the club’s dynamics during the part where the fans shared their feedback about the team, Alper Yılmaz has indicated a downsizing in the budget. Highlighting the fact that all income is in Turkish Liras while most expenses are in foreign currencies, Yılmaz has also assured fans that there will be no compromises in the club’s targets.
Pointing out that 60 percent of this year’s roster is different from last year’s as per coach Velimir Perasovic’s feedback, Yılmaz has talked about the ongoing adaptation period, stating that it is taking longer than before due to the updated format of Turkish Airlines Euroleague, and has requested more patience from the fans.
Providing sincere responses to the fans' questions about Alen Omic, Yılmaz has indicated that Omic performed well with his teams for the last three seasons, and has asked the fans to support Omic.
“We chose to send our young talents out on loan”
Expressing his thoughts about the end of partnership with Pertevniyal Sports Club, Alper Yılmaz has pointed out about the development of young players that Anadolu Efes Youth Team players are playing at Mens’ Regional Basketball League, while older players fit for First Team action are being offered a chance to prove themselves by playing on the court particularly for teams from the Basketball Super League.
Alper Yılmaz has indicated that coach Velimir Perasovic is under no pressure by them to provide more time on the court for Turkish players, and that Turkish players can play more by developing themselves faster.
“We would like our fans to invite their friends to our matches”
Pointing out that the feedback shared by the fans will be a determining factor in future strategies, Alper Yılmaz has indicated that the support of the fans is always needed for Anadolu Efes to get more achievements in competitions.
Highlighting that the fans will soon enjoy better comfort at Abdi İpekçi Arena, Yilmaz has stated that the match experience in the arena will be more entertaining, and has asked all the fans to invite their friends and family to Anadolu Efes matches.
At the Fans’ Meetup, the fans have learned more about the benefits of the Anadolu Efes Fan Club app, and have received more information on the ticket sales at www.tixbox.com.tr as well as the convenience offered by digital tickets. The fans have been told that use of digital tickets allow faster processing while fans are entering and leaving the arena, and that they will enjoy a more fruitful communication thanks to technological advances.
In response to comments from the participants about the lack of places for pastime activities around Abdi İpekçi Arena, Yılmaz has talked about their new partnership with Samatya Develi Kebap which allows Anadolu Efes Fan Club members to enjoy discounted menus, and to take the free shuttle 45 minutes before the match.
Alper Yılmaz has also mentioned that they will have meetups with students from universities all around Turkey in order to share with them the vision of Anadolu Efes Sports Club, and to listen to their suggestions and feedback about the club.
Fans shared their feedback in many different topics
On the other hand, basketball enthusiasts have shared their feedback with Anadolu Efes Sports Club officials about the match experience at Abdi İpekçi Arena, the general structure of the club, events for the fans, ticket sales, social responsibility projects, and the objectives for the future.
While participants were leaving the meetup happy with the sincere responses to their questions, the Fans’ Meetup ended one hour later than planned due to high turnout.
Anadolu Efes Sports Club will continue to organize events for the fans throughout the 2016-2017 season, and will have more meetups with basketball enthusiasts in the near future.
