‘We are here’: Kurdish club Amedspor shakes up Turkish football

What the report says

Amedspor, the Diyarbakir-based club identified with Kurdish identity, has become one of the most striking stories in Turkish football after climbing from the lower divisions to the Turkish Super Lig and, after 10 matches, sitting near the top of the table. Al Jazeera reports that the club can move to first place with a win over Galatasaray, highlighting how quickly its sporting profile has risen.

The article places Amedspor’s progress against a difficult history. During the conflict in southeast Turkiye a decade ago, the club faced fines, supporter bans, police raids and hostility from rival fans and officials. It also came under pressure because of its name, colours and public association with Kurdish culture. In recent years, however, a broader political thaw has coincided with its rise, including a new peace process involving the Turkish state and the outlawed PKK.

On the field, the club’s success has been linked to an experienced coach, a largely rebuilt squad and strong home support, with crowds regularly above 30,000. Nigerian forward Gift Orban has been a standout performer. Off the field, supporters’ chants and displays in Kurdish have turned Amedspor matches into a visible test of how far Turkish society is willing to accept public expressions of Kurdish identity.

The piece also notes that Amedspor’s support has expanded well beyond Diyarbakir, becoming one of the most popular clubs among Kurds in Turkiye. While the article says the club still faces occasional provocation, it suggests that Amedspor now represents both a football project and a broader symbol of changing political and cultural attitudes.