“We have become integrated with League 1, which has been in the shadow of the Super League for the past two years. This year we will continue backing the league both financially and morally,” stated Bank Asya General Manager Ünal Kabaca in his opening remarks, adding that the bank plans to keep League 1 on the country's agenda. Senior Bank Asya officials, Turkish Soccer Federation (TFF) officials and members of the Union of Clubs were in attendance. The meeting also focused on ways to make the league appeal to a wider audience. New commercials were screened to this end. The theme of this year's League 1 was decided on and “Soccer of the Country” was selected in hopes of evoking the idea of common people playing soccer. Stressing that more than half of the country's population follows the league, which features 14 teams from Anatolia, Union of Clubs President Bayram Akgül said they expect the upcoming season to pass without fights, disputes and swearing. Akgül also addressed Bank Asya efforts to improve the image of the league. “The people have embraced the league's association with Bank Asya. I do not hear people calling the Super League the ‘Turkcell Super League' often; however, League 1 is always referred to as the ‘Bank Asya League 1'.”
TFF Vice Chairman Lütfi Arıboğan also said Bank Asya had contributed much to the brand quality of the league and noted that some changes have been made to the league. “We have allowed clubs to put ads on the back of their jerseys and shorts so that they can earn more. We are also engaged in serious efforts to increase their broadcast income. Also, the third team to qualify for the Turkcell Super League will be determined following qualifying matches,” Arıboğan noted.
