Turkey's Amedspor fulfills dream of teen with Down syndrome to coach team in upcoming match

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Diyarbakir-based Kurdish football club Amedspor has fulfilled the lifelong dream of Zinar Altuntas, a young fan with Down syndrome, by allowing him to coach the team for their next match.

As part of events marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Altuntas led Amedspor’s training session this week in preparation for their TFF First League clash against Umraniyespor on Saturday. The League is the second tier of Turkish football.

Amedspor, a club with a significant following among Kurds worldwide, welcomed Altuntas with warmth and enthusiasm. Head coach Sinan Kaloglu and the players embraced him as part of the team, showing deep affection and support.

Altuntas expressed confidence that Amedspor would secure three crucial points in their match.

“We have a match with Umraniyespor. It will be a difficult game, but Amedspor’s situation is very good,” he told Rudaw on Thursday. “We are now in third place. If we win, we can rise to second or even first. We will become champions this year.”

The team’s players also warmly received their young guest coach.

Altuntas, originally from the Cihanbeyli district of Konya, has lived with his family in Diyarbakir for 25 years. He studies in the coaching department at Dicle University and is an avid Amedspor supporter.

His parents said seeing their son’s dream come true was an emotional moment.

“Zinar’s clothes, his jerseys, everything at home is Amedspor,” his father said. “This was our dream. Zinar’s day was very bright. We were all very happy and emotional. I believe, thanks to Zinar, Amedspor will win this match.”

His mother, Songul Altuntas, said her son’s excitement began the day before.

“He woke up early this morning, eager to come here. We all shared his excitement. It was our dream to see Zinar here, and that dream has come true. God willing, all of Zinar’s dreams will come true," she said.

Coach Kaloglu said the moment reflected the spirit of the club.

“We always say Amedspor is not just a football club. Today Zinar is here. This is a place of happiness for both him and us.”

Amedspor currently sits third in the league with 29 points.

The club has faced several controversies in recent years, particularly after adopting the Kurdish name “Amed,” the Kurdish term for Diyarbakir. The team often encounters nationalist and anti-Kurdish hostility during away matches, occasionally resulting in violence.