Kurdish football club Amedspor rises to top flight amid shifting politics

The Kurdish football club Amedspor has climbed from the third tier to a second-place position in the Turkish Super Lig after 10 games.

Based in Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish-majority city in Turkiye, the club serves as a symbol of Kurdish identity. It faced severe state pressure and fan hostility a decade ago during intense conflict between the Turkish military and groups linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The club's current success stems from a combination of tactical leadership under coach Besnik Hasi, a high-performing squad including Nigerian striker Gift Orban, and a massive fan base. Reha Ruhavioglu of the Kurdish Studies Center describes the club as a weekly barometer for how Turkish society and the state accept Kurdish culture and language.

While the club faced heavy fines and raids in the past, a new peace process between the government and the PKK, which saw the group announce its dissolution in May 2025, has created a softer political climate. Amedspor now draws sellout crowds of more than 30,000 people. While rival fans occasionally display hostile imagery related to past conflicts, the club's presence in the top flight is helping to normalize Kurdish identity in the country.

Despite its cultural role, the team primarily features foreign and non-Kurdish Turkish players to maintain its competitive edge. Journalists note that while the progress toward tolerance is real, it remains fragile and dependent on the government's ongoing approach.