BAKEŞ hosts talk on “The past and present of volleyball”
The Western Thrace Minority Culture and Education Company (BAKEŞ) organized a talk titled “The Past and Present of Volleyball” on the evening of Tuesday, 18 November, at the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union.
The event began with an opening address by BAKEŞ President Hüseyin Bostancı, who highlighted how volleyball has evolved from a simple indoor sport into a dynamic and well-established sporting ecosystem. Bostancı emphasized volleyball’s ability to reflect team spirit, dynamism, and fair play, noting the global rise of women’s volleyball and the pride generated by Türkiye’s successes. He outlined that the talk would cover volleyball’s milestones, the evolution of playing styles, and expectations for the future, concluding his remarks by thanking attendees.
The first speaker, Dr. Mustafa Üzeyir, shared his early experiences with volleyball and its role in his life. Recalling his journey under Coach İsmet Hoca, Üzeyir described how volleyball grew from a pastime into a true passion. “We were always involved in volleyball. When needed, we even supported the women’s team. Today, I enjoy this love of the sport with my grandson. Volleyball, with its non-contact nature, has always been my favorite sport. We formed a team and eventually became like a family,” he said. Despite academic challenges during university, Üzeyir stressed that volleyball remained a central passion in his life.
Another speaker, Gülnur Görgün, explained how volleyball shaped her character. “I owe much of my personality to volleyball. You cannot hold the ball—you must redirect it accurately at high speed. It teaches you what ‘we’ means. Volleyball is a story of passion and solidarity,” she said.
Görgün also discussed her book, “Heroes Do Not Die – Thousands of Hearts Supporting a Man of Heart,” written to support national athlete Yücel Aslan during his illness, with proceeds donated to Aslan’s family. She additionally provided information on the work of the Volleyball Immortals Association.
The event concluded with a Q&A session and a group photo of the participants.
