A joint initiative by the Education Ministry and the Turkish Football Federation
The Education Ministry and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) have launched a joint project to provide football education to 100,000 students in primary and secondary schools across Turkey. The project aims to introduce children to sports at an early age and cultivate new talents for the future of Turkish football.
The project was announced at a press conference on September 25, 2023, attended by Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, Education Minister Yusuf Tekin, and TFF President Mehmet Büyükekşi. The ministers and the TFF president expressed their enthusiasm and support for the project, which they said would contribute to the physical and mental development of the children as well as the promotion of sports culture in Turkey.
Football education for 100,000 children in the 100th year of the Republic
The project is part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 2023. TFF President Mehmet Büyükekşi said that the project’s goal was to reach 100,000 children in the centennial year and provide them with football education under the coordination of both ministries. He also said that the project would follow the European standards of starting football education at the age of six.
Büyükekşi added that the TFF would provide all the necessary equipment and materials for the project, such as balls, jerseys, cones, and nets. He also said that the TFF would train and certify teachers who would teach football to the students. He said that the project would be implemented in all 81 provinces of Turkey and that the TFF would monitor and evaluate its progress and outcomes.
A step towards solving the problem of insufficient sports education in schools
Education Minister Yusuf Tekin acknowledged that there was a long-standing issue of insufficient emphasis and allocation of resources to music and sports education in schools. He said that this problem had been addressed by adding a sports culture course to the curriculum of primary and secondary schools. He also said that the joint project with the TFF would further enhance the quality and quantity of sports education in schools.
Tekin emphasized that sports education was not only beneficial for physical health but also for mental well-being, social skills, and character development. He said that sports education could help prevent many problems such as obesity, addiction, violence, and depression among children. He also said that sports education could foster a sense of patriotism, teamwork, and fair play among children.
A contribution to the development of Turkish football
Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak praised the project as a valuable contribution to the development of Turkish football. He said that Turkey had one of Europe’s most significant sports infrastructures and that it was important to utilize it effectively. He also said that Turkey aspired to produce new champions from all corners of Anatolia.
Bak said that football was not only a sport but also a passion for millions of people in Turkey. He said that football had a positive impact on social cohesion, national unity, and international prestige. He also said that football had a great potential for economic growth, employment, and tourism. He expressed his hope that the project would help discover new talents who would represent Turkey in national and international arenas.
