Ibrahim Moustafa, an Egyptian computer engineer, has been one of the leading figures in promoting Kocaeli in the United Arab Emirates in recent years. As the Arab world’s most renowned sports organizer, Ibrahim Moustafa has brought a total of 20 soccer clubs—champions in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, and all playing in the First Division—to İzmit for their summer training camps.
HE MADE KOCAELI LOVED
For a city to become a world-class city and gain recognition, it needs promotion. If many of Europe’s and the world’s leading cities are known to everyone today, if they are recognized, if hundreds of thousands of tourists visit them, and if the city’s economy is developing and growing, this is the result of the promotion efforts. The interest shown by our Arab citizens in Kocaeli in recent years, and the fact that thousands of them have purchased real estate and settled in our city, is the result of this promotion. This promotion is being carried out by renowned sports organizer Ibrahim Moustafa, who has brought football clubs—champions of leagues in the Arabian Peninsula and teams competing in the Super League and First Division—to our province for summer training camps.
20 SOCCER CLUBS HAVE ARRIVED FOR TRAINING CAMP
Immediately following the conclusion of the soccer season this past summer in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran, organizer Ibrahim Moustafa brought together teams from the Saudi Arabian League and First Division, including Alkhaleej, Alraed FC, Abha Club, Alhazem Club, Aladalah, Alqadısıyah, Alarabi Club, and Alsafa Club. From Qatar: Ummsalal SC, Muaıther SC, and Alwaab SC. From Kuwait: Kuwait SC (2022-2023 League Champion), Kazma SC (2022 Cup Champion), and Alshabab (2022-2023 First Division Champion). From Iran: Sepahan SC (Iranian Super League Runner-Up). From Bahrain: Khaldiya (2022-2023 Bahrain Super League Champion). From the United Arab Emirates: Bataeh, Emirates, and Fujairah football clubs, along with the Oman National Football Team—a total of 20 football clubs held their summer training camp in Izmit.
IT BOOSTED THE CITY’S ECONOMY
Hundreds of football players and coaching staff stayed at 5-star hotels in the Izmit, Başiskele, and Kartepe regions for the camp. The clubs trained on football fields located in these districts. After training, the players and coaching staff stayed at hotels in the city, shopped at its malls, dined at its restaurants, and spent money, making a significant contribution to the city’s economy.
HE PROMOTED KOCAELİ
Soccer organizer İbrahim Moustafa came to Kocaeli years ago. He was captivated by the city’s natural beauty. In his early years in Kocaeli, he brought only 3–5 soccer clubs to the city. As Kocaeli’s natural beauty and advantages were promoted in the Arabian Peninsula year after year, many football clubs reached out to İbrahim Moustafa, expressing their desire to hold training camps in Kocaeli. This season, a total of 20 major football clubs held training camps in Kocaeli, making a significant contribution to the city’s promotion.
Source: Özgür Kocaeli
