Mustafa Cengiz (25 December 1949 – 28 November 2021) was a Former Bureaucrat and Turkish businessman who served as the president of sports club Galatasaray S.K.
Mustafa Cengiz | |
|---|---|
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| 37th President of Galatasaray SK | |
| In office 20 January 2018 – 19 June 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Dursun Özbek |
| Succeeded by | Burak Elmas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 December 1949 Nizip, Gaziantep, Turkey |
| Died | 28 November 2021 (aged 71) Istanbul, Turkey |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Resting place | Ulus cemetery, Istanbul |
| Spouse | Hayat Cengiz |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Faculty of Political Science, Ankara University |
Early life and education
editMustafa Cengiz was born in Nizip, Gaziantep Province, southeastern Turkey on 25 December 1949.[1][2]
Mustafa Cengiz completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown. He then graduated from Gaziantep High School.[1] Then he studied at Faculty of Political Science, Ankara University.[3] Mustafa Cengiz was a prominent figure born into a distinguished family with deep ties to the olive oil industry in the region. His father Mehmet Cengiz aka Pamuk Muhammed, was a renowned trader and one of the earliest factory owners in the olive oil sector. Pamuk Muhammed played a significant role in shaping the industry, earning widespread recognition for his contributions to trade and production.
Mustafa Cengiz was one of seven children in this traditionally influential family. Despite the social norms of the time, which often prioritized business inheritance over formal education, all seven siblings pursued higher education. This commitment to education reflected the family's progressive mindset and dedication to fostering intellectual growth alongside business success.
Career
editCengiz became a founding specialist in foreign trade for a cooperative of agriculture (Köy-Koop). At the age of 28, he became the general manager of the central economic organization founded by 670 municipalities (TANSA) as the youngest executive in the public sector.[1] Following the 1980 military coup, he went to foreign trade in the private sector working in the Middle East countries using his Arabic language knowledge.[3]
From 1990, Cengiz operated his own companies in the petroleum goods trade business. Once, he served as the chairman of the Turkish Employers' Union of Gasoline and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Dealers (Turkish: Türkiye Akaryakıt Bayiileri ve Gaz İşverenler Sendikası).
Sport executive
editCengiz was appointed a member of the by-law committee by the council of Galatasaray S.K. He was in charge of preparing a new by-law for the sports club. On 20 January 2018, Cengiz became the 37th president of Galatasaray S.K., winning with 1,703 of the 3,416 votes cast while 1,623 delegates voted for the defending president Dursun Özbek.[4][5] His term ended in June 2021, and Burak Elmas succeeded him in the post.[6][7]
Personal life and death
editCengiz was married and had a son named Sarper who was born in 1984.[8]
Mustafa Cengiz was a figure who transcended the realm of football management with his profound intellectualism and cultural awareness. Known for his eloquence and sharp wit, Cengiz often turned to philosophy, literature, and cinema to articulate his vision and navigate the challenges of leading one of Turkey's most prestigious sports clubs.
Drawing from the works of Spinoza, Cengiz emphasized rationality and resilience in the face of adversity. He admired Spinoza's belief in the strength of the human mind to endure difficulties, a philosophy that resonated deeply during his tenure, particularly when Galatasaray faced financial and organizational crises.
From Hegel, Cengiz adopted the concept of the dialectic, which focuses on resolving conflicts to achieve progress. His leadership reflected this philosophy, as he often sought to unify disparate factions within the club, creating harmony in the midst of discord. This approach not only stabilized the organization but also inspired loyalty and respect among its members.
Cengiz’s intellectual repertoire extended beyond Western philosophy. In one of his speeches, he referenced the Japanese film Rashomon by Akira Kurosawa, a story that examines the subjective nature of truth through conflicting perspectives. By invoking Rashomon, Cengiz highlighted the complexities of leadership, where every stakeholder—players, fans, and management—perceives challenges differently. His ability to navigate these perspectives with fairness and insight was a hallmark of his presidency.
Mustafa Cengiz’s unique leadership style was not just about making decisions but about understanding the deeper currents of human nature, truth, and progress. He left behind a legacy that extended far beyond trophies and statistics—a legacy of intellectual depth and a commitment to leading with wisdom and compassion
Cengiz died in Istanbul from cancer on 28 November 2021 at the age of 71.[6][9] He had been ill since the first months of 2020.[7] He was buried at Ulus Cemetery in Istanbul.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Mustafa Cengiz kimdir kaç yaşında neden vefat etti". Hürriyet. 28 November 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ "Mustafa Cengiz kabri başında anıldı" (in Turkish). Galatasaray Official website. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ a b Yakup Çınar (20 January 2018). "Mustafa Cengiz Galatasaray başkan adaylığını açıkladı - Mustafa Cengiz kimdir?". Fanatik (in Turkish). Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ Mustafa Cengiz New President of Galatasaray
- ^ "Galatasaray'ın yeni başkanı Mustafa Cengiz oldu". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 20 January 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ a b Can Erözden (28 November 2021). "Former Galatasaray chair Mustafa Cengiz dies". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Mustafa Cengiz era ends at Galatasaray". Archy Sport. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ "Mustafa Cengiz: Stres anında bilgisayar oyunu oynarım". Goal (in Turkish). 7 February 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ Galatasaray'ın eski başkanı Mustafa Cengiz hayatını kaybetti Fotomaç, 28 November 2021, Retrieved 28 November 2021. (in Turkish)
- ^ "Galatasaray eski başkanı Mustafa Cengiz son yolculuğuna uğurlandı". Sözcü (in Turkish). 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
External links
edit
Media related to Mustafa Cengiz at Wikimedia Commons
