Recent international success for the U16 Hockey5s national team has added renewed impetus to the rapid rise of hockey’s popularity in Turkey.
The sport’s appeal is spreading across the Mediterranean nation. Since its inception in 2002, the Turkish Hockey Federation has seen participation levels rise to the present high point – hockey is now played in 66 of the 81 departments that make up Turkey. There are 84 clubs made up by 6,270 men and 3,582 women.
The development of the sport is being led from the top. Turkish Hockey Federation (THF) President Kıvanç Hurdogan says that the remarkable progress being made to promote the sport at both grassroots and elite level will only level out when Turkey has reached the 'highest level possible'.
“Hockey is not only a sport, it is a way of life,” says the President. “It reflects discipline, passion, hard work, dedication and team spirit. It instills these values to young generations and therefore, in a more general basis, it contributes to the development of Turkish people.”
Hurdogan cites the example of a social project in which young people with drug addictions or who were living on the street were given the opportunity to play hockey.
“Beautiful results were obtained,” he says. “Some of them are still playing, and coaching as well. Hockey is more than a sport, it gathers people, gives them an aim, make them share experiences and help them go beyond there physical and moral limits.”
Within the past two years, hockey has really taken off, particularly in the south of the country. Three pitches have been built that meet International Hockey Federation (FIH) standards: two were built in conjunction with FIH, the other is part of a hotel complex.
In the next two years, four more pitches are planned.
It is a huge achievement for the THF. Furthermore, they were recently chosen to host a Hockey World League Round 1 event in 2016, while they will also hold the 2016 U18 European Championships (Third Division) for men and women.
For the THF, it means a raised media profile and a further opportunity to spread the word about hockey. It also means that the Federation must ensure that the event is held to the high standards insisted upon at international events – knowledge that the THF will carry forward to future tournaments held in the country.
To inspire young people to take up the sport, the Ministry of National Education is working with the THF to build a specialist hockey school, where elite young players would combine an academic schooling with a focus on hockey coaching and elite performance.
Generally, schools and colleges are supportive, more than 100 schools offer hockey on the curriculum, while 11 universities run teams in the University Championships.
On the adult hockey scene, nowhere is the growth of the sport better demonstrated than in the Turkish Super League – a fiercely competitive league that came to its season’s end just a few weeks ago.
Eight men’s and eight women’s teams have been competing in the top tier of the event, with two more levels – League One and League Two – played both outdoors and indoors.
The long term aims of Hurdogan and his fellow THF staff are clear to see. Their enthusiasm and energy has led to giant steps already. The U16 men’s victory in Malta at the Hockey5s Mediterranean Cup,was just the start for Hurdogan.
“The Youth Olympic Games are one of the most exciting dreams for the Turkish Hockey Family. Walking near the flame, being in the stadium, representing our nation would be the ultimate dream.”
Turkey is just beginning to make it's mark in the world of hockey, and their development programmes are certainly an inspiration for others to follow.
For more information about hockey in Turkey, visit the THF website by clicking here.
