Syriac-owned GGM Gastro International becomes new main sponsor of Dutch football club FC Twente

 ENSCHEDE, Netherlands — German kitchen wholesaler GGM Gastro International signed a deal with Dutch Eredivisie (Premier Division) football club FC Twente to become the club’s main shirt sponsor for the next two seasons. 

GGM Gastro, which in 2024 had a turnover of several hundred million euros, is headquartered in Ochtrup just across the Dutch-German border near Enschede. The company supplies kitchen equipment for restaurants, hotels, and cafes. It is owned by Syriacs Emanuel Elma and Marcus Inan and has sponsored the Dutch club in various capacities for several years. In Germany, the company name GGM Gastro appears on second tier Bundesliga club Schalke 04’s shirts and billboards.  

Marcus Inan called the agreement the result of a successful partnership that has lasted for many years. “Their values fit perfectly with the philosophy of our company, which is deeply rooted in this region,” said Inan. “That is why we are very pleased and proud to call ourselves the new main sponsor of this wonderful club.”  

FC Twente finished sixth in the 2024–2025 Dutch league rankings, which earned it a place in the national playoffs to play in the Conference League. On 25 May, it lost the final playoff against AZ Alkmaar, which has the Swedish Syriac Mayckel Lahdo under contract, and will not have a place this season’s European soccer competition.  

Emanuel Elma and Marcus Inan are from the Syriac homeland of Tur Abdin. For many years they have been active supporters of Syriac cultural and religious organizations, including the Syriac satellite channel Suroyo TV.