THE FUTURE
BUILDING FOR
Ambitious plans for the Hasan Doğan national training centre show Turkish football’s determination to keep ahead of the game
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is moving into the future with confidence. The Hasan Doğan national training centre shows how determined the TFF is to modernise and develop its football infrastructures to take the country’s football forward. Named after former TFF president Hasan Doğan, who passed away in 2008, the centre has been the heart of Turkish football since its inauguration in July 2014.
Located in Riva, 30km north of Istanbul and close to the shores of the Black Sea, the 190,000 sq m complex also serves as the headquarters of the TFF and the home of Turkey’s national teams. Regarded as the biggest infrastructure project in the federation’s history, the centre is among the leading modern training facilities in the world.
Constructed in 450 days and built to be environmentally friendly and energy efficient, the complex includes four training grounds, one goalkeeper training pitch, one beach soccer field, a gym, rehabilitation facilities, swimming and therapy pools, a tennis court, and walking and running tracks. Inside, there is a three-floor hotel with 85 rooms, a 380-seater conference hall, a restaurant for 150 guests and a leisure room. With four dressing rooms, it is possible for two games to take place at the centre at the same time.
The national training centre, which served as a base for the UEFA Regions’ Cup in 2017, hosts teams from different age categories for friendly matches, as well as referees and coaches for seminars throughout the year.
A recent addition to the complex is a football museum capturing the history of the TFF and the historic achievements of Turkish national teams. Headshots of all national team players, objects, plaques and other valuable football memorabilia are on display. A TFF store selling official licensed merchandise and products is located right next to the hotel entrance.
The Blue Mosque
Before the end of this year, a second complex (above) specifically for national team administrative and technical staff is set to be completed just across from the TFF headquarters. This new complex, built on an area of 38,550 sq m, will consist of four blocks holding two training pitches with natural turf, an 83-room hotel, a gym, swimming and therapy pools, a 650-seater conference hall, 100-seater press conference room, offices and 11 meeting rooms of different sizes. More than top-notch physical structures and facilities, the whole complex represents another huge step forward for the development and success of Turkish football at every level.
