Starting to retire jersey numbers to honor coaches and players that played key roles in the club’s history, Anadolu Efes Sports Club launched the program at the match against FC Barcelona Lassa. The name of Aydın Örs, one of the most accomplished coaches of the club’s history, was immortalized at Abdi İpekçi Arena during the Award Plate & Jersey Retirement Ceremony at halftime.
Receiving the Award Plate from Anadolu Efes Sports Club President Tuncay Özilhan during the Award Ceremony at halftime, Aydın Örs stated his thoughts:
“I am very delighted and honored to be present at this ceremony today. I am almost speechless due to the overwhelming emotions of this moment. I would like to thank Anadolu Efes Sports Club President Tuncay Özilhan and the Board of Directors as well as the whole community of Anadolu Efes for launching such an iconic project and deeming me worthy of being the first.
I would also like to thank my family as well as all directors, coaches, fellow basketball players and fans of Anadolu Efes, whether alive or deceased, who helped me achieve greatness at this privileged duty.”
Due to 18 cups won by him during his 17-year spell at Anadolu Efes, Aydın Örs also received an award plate from Anadolu Efes Sports Club President Tuncay Özilhan’s hands.
During the ceremony, the whole arena watched a very special video made for Aydın Örs by Anadolu Efes Sports Club. Now hanging from the ceiling of Abdi İpekçi Arena, the jersey highlights Aydın Örs’s accomplishments at Anadolu Efes Sports Club.
Having worked at Anadolu Efes Sports Club as assistant coach between 1983-1992 and as coach between 1992-2000, Aydın Örs proved that Turkish teams can also achieve great things at European cups, helped Turkish basketball to earn hundreds of athletes, and is the most accomplished coach in the club’s history.
Having won the Turkish League five times, the Turkish Cup four times and the Presidential Cup four times with Anadolu Efes, Örs was the coach of the team that brought home the first European championship won by a Turkish sports club.
Anadolu Efes, led by Aydın Örs, won the Korać Cup in 1996, and played at the finals of European Cup in 1993.
Aydın Örs also won four Turkish championships with youth teams.
Anadolu Efes Sports Club will continue throughout the season to honor the names of individuals who had their names written in golden letters into the history of the club.
