Besiktas Fans Throw Toys on Field for Children Affected by Earthquake

Fans throw toys onto the pitch during the Turkish Super League soccer match between Besiktas and Antalyaspor at the Vodafone stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP)
Fans throw toys onto the pitch during the Turkish Super League soccer match between Besiktas and Antalyaspor at the Vodafone stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP)
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Besiktas Fans Throw Toys on Field for Children Affected by Earthquake

Fans throw toys onto the pitch during the Turkish Super League soccer match between Besiktas and Antalyaspor at the Vodafone stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP)
Fans throw toys onto the pitch during the Turkish Super League soccer match between Besiktas and Antalyaspor at the Vodafone stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP)

Besiktas fans threw thousands of stuffed toys onto the pitch during Sunday's match against Antalyaspor to donate to children impacted by the earthquake in Türkiye and neighboring Syria.

The Turkish Super Lig game, which ended 0-0, was paused after 4 minutes and 17 seconds to allow fans to throw the gifts onto the pitch. The earthquake first struck Türkiye at 0417 local time on Feb. 6.

"Our fans threw scarves, berets and plush toys on the ground of Vodafone Park to be given as a gift to the children in the earthquake region to cheer them up," Besiktas said in a club statement.

The death toll from the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria has crossed 50,000. Ghana winger Christian Atsu was among the victims, having been found dead on Feb. 18 under the building where he lived in southern Türkiye.



Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
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Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)

The third stage of the Dakar Rally 2025, which is being held in Saudi Arabia for the sixth consecutive year, started Tuesday and will continue until January 17. Competitors began the stage in Bisha Governorate and will finish in Al Hanakiyah, covering a total distance of 894 km, including a timed special stage of 327 km, the Saudi Press Agency said on Wednesday.
The fourth stage of the event will start today from Al Hanakiyah and conclude in AlUla Governorate, covering a total distance of 588 km, including a timed special stage of 415 km.
Drivers will face significant challenges in this stage as they will not be able to rely on mechanical support teams.