Soccer greats in Turkish Cyprus are stuck at home

He is only 16 years old, but Tunc Ozgurgun may have already reached the pinnacle of his soccer career, falling foul of politics in ethnically partitioned Cyprus.

A rare talent, Ozgurgun was scouted from an early age to play for minors in Turkish Cypriot first division team Cetinkaya and at the end of last season was promoted to the A team.

But Tunc and others like him may never have the chance of developing to their full potential at Cetinkaya for as long as politics continues to drive Cyprus apart, and cast a long pall over the sport.

Turkish Cypriot teams are barred from participating in any official game outside the narrow confines of northern Cyprus, a breakaway statelet recognized only by Ankara.

"These kids have so much talent, but they don't have ambition because they know it will take them nowhere," said Cetinkaya chairman Zeki Ziya.

The enclave of about 240,000 people was carved out of territory seized by Turkey in an invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup in Cyprus. Peace talks have repeatedly floundered, and the stalemate is hurting Turkey's European Union accession prospects.

50 YEARS IN THE COLD

Turkish Cypriot football teams have not participated in any international games for more than half a century, since the first seeds of conflict were sown between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Only Greek Cypriot teams now represent Cyprus in international competitions, a by-product of the conflict which left Greek Cypriots representing the island's internationally recognized government.

Turkish Cypriots rule out any participation in the Cyprus FA, comprised only of Greek Cypriots, because they say it does not represent them.

That exclusion is due to be discussed by the sport's governing bodies FIFA and Uefa in Zurich on September 20.

Northern Cyprus has 99 professional teams. A wildly popular sport, Turkish Cypriot teams rarely, if ever, have an opportunity to compete with outsiders.

A scheduled friendly between Cetinkaya and England's Luton Town was scuppered in July because of Greek Cypriot sensitivities

Tunc Ozgurgun is upholding a long tradition in his family, even if his father and grandfather's ambitions were snuffed out because of politics. Both played for Cetinkaya.

Ozgurgun's father Mehmet Ali, now 40, is far from optimistic about Tunc's prospects.

"I am worried about my son. He is a very talented player, but I don't know how far he will get under these conditions," told Reuters.

Tunc has ambitions, but has no illusions that the obstacles to his career prospects will be removed any time soon.

"If nothing happens I'll continue playing, but without big dreams. It'll be just for the sport," he said.