YTB hosts “Young Athletes Gathering” in Lyon to celebrate Youth and Sports Day
The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) organized a “Young Athletes Gathering” event in Lyon as part of the celebrations for May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.
Hosted by YTB President Abdullah Eren at the Maarif Lyon School, the event brought together young Turkish athletes living in France and active in various sports disciplines. The program was attended by Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Zafer Sırakaya, and former football star Mesut Özil.
Focus on Youth, Identity, and Cultural Heritage
During a panel moderated by YTB President Abdullah Eren, speakers emphasized the importance of preserving cultural identity, supporting youth development, and strengthening the Turkish diaspora abroad.
Eren highlighted YTB’s long-term investments in youth-focused projects across sports, arts, and education. He noted that nearly 5,000 young people participate annually in youth camps organized in cooperation with Türkiye’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The YTB president also drew attention to the upcoming 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival in Türkiye, emphasizing efforts to revive and promote traditional sports and cultural heritage on a global scale.
Bilal Erdoğan: “Our Own Cultural Identity Matters”
Bilal Erdoğan underlined the significance of protecting native language, music, and traditions for future generations. He stressed that cultural identity is deeply connected to language and collective memory shaped over centuries.
Speaking about traditional sports initiatives launched in 2015, Erdoğan said the projects have contributed to Türkiye’s civil diplomacy by creating cultural bridges worldwide.
He also encouraged Turkish families living abroad to ensure their children maintain fluency in Turkish and remain connected to their cultural roots.
Mesut Özil Shares His Journey
Former footballer Mesut Özil reflected on the challenges he faced growing up in Germany as a Turkish Muslim athlete. Özil stated that despite encountering discrimination and barriers, he continued working hard and remained committed to his goals.
Encouraging young athletes, Özil said perseverance, gratitude, and self-belief are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving success at the highest level of sports.
Turkish Diaspora and Community Engagement
AK Party Deputy Chairman Zafer Sırakaya emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural identity while succeeding abroad, describing the Turkish diaspora as resilient and hardworking.
Following the event, the delegation met with representatives of Turkish civil society organizations at a mosque affiliated with the Turkish Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DİTİB) in Lyon.
