Under the auspices of the Kastamonu Governorship, in collaboration with Kastamonu University and the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, the "Sports Workshop in Kastamonu," aimed at determining new roadmaps in the field of sports in Kastamonu, was held on April 30, 2025, at the Kağan Talip Tığlı Youth Center.
In the workshop organized with the understanding of "We are Preparing the Sports Policy Together in Kastamonu," Kastamonu's sports vision was addressed from a multifaceted perspective.
The workshop was attended by Governor Meftun Dallı, Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Sami Kuşcu, Head of the Sports Education Research Department of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Şükrü Yılmaz, Dean of the Faculty of Sports Sciences Prof. Dr. Bilgehan Baydil, representatives from various institutions and organizations, and numerous academics and athletes.
In his opening speech at the workshop, Adem Keloğlu, the Provincial Representative of the Amateur Sports Clubs Federation, stated that it was an important step in shaping the future of sports in Kastamonu. Emphasizing that sports play a critical role in keeping young people away from bad habits and raising them as beneficial individuals to society, Keloğlu highlighted the need to support amateur clubs and highlighted the importance of higher education institutions contributing with student and educational support
Sports is a way of life that unites and empowers communities
The Provincial Director of Youth and Sports, Sami Kuşcu, emphasized that sports are not just a physical activity, but a culture and way of life that brings societies together. Emphasizing that sports empower individuals and offer a healthy future, Kuşcu stated that various aspects of sports would be addressed in the workshop and that ideas would be exchanged in line with common goals. Stating that cooperation is needed to promote sports in the city, encourage young people, and create sustainable policies, Kuşcu expressed that making sports accessible to everyone is among their primary objectives.
Kastamonu, on the Path to Becoming a Pioneer Province in Sports Facilities
Şükrü Yılmaz, the Head of the Department of Sports Education Research at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, stated that they have observed a more performance-oriented approach being adopted in sports, but emphasized that in developed countries, it is not possible to expect performance without establishing a sports culture. Emphasizing that the understanding of lifelong sports and sports for everyone contributes to performance, health, leisure time evaluation, and social dimensions of sports, Yılmaz stated that the development of sports culture at the local level affects local success and the country's international representation power. Stating that the investment in sports provides significant savings in health expenditures, Yılmaz said that every 1 dollar invested in this field prevents 10 dollars of health expenditure, adding that sports also provides a high return on investment.
Stating that Kastamonu has made significant progress in facilities, Yılmaz said that the province has exemplary sports facilities and is not even found in some major cities. Stating that the national team training centers and youth training centers stand out in this regard, Yılmaz drew attention to the importance of their effective use and opening them up to sports tourism. He stated that Kastamonu has the potential to be one of the leading provinces in Turkey for sports tourism, both with its existing sports infrastructure and its geography suitable for nature sports.
Stating that students receiving coaching education at state universities will now be educated under the "6+2" model, Yılmaz said that within the scope of this model, students will take courses for six semesters and will do paid coaching internships in the field during the seventh and eighth semesters. He added that thanks to this study, which has been carried out with the Council of Higher Education for three years, students will gain practical experience before graduation and will be trained to be qualified to work in the field within two years.
Kastamonu, with its sports infrastructure and natural advantages, is a candidate to be one of Turkey's leading provinces
Kastamonu Governor Meftun Dallı emphasized that the city has infrastructure suitable for many sports branches from the sea to the mountain, from the canyon to the forest, with its nature and climate diversity, and expressed that Kastamonu could be one of the leading provinces in Turkey in terms of sports. Stating that significant progress has been made in terms of facilities, and that modern facilities have been acquired with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Presidency, Governor Dallı said that with the completion of the provincial stadium, the deficiencies would be largely eliminated. Stating that they do not see sports only as a physical activity, and that sports are an effective tool in keeping children and young people away from addictions, Dallı drew attention to the fact that discovering and directing children's talents at an early age will bring success. He added that he believes the workshop organized in this context, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education and the university, will create a roadmap for early age sports guidance.
After the opening speeches, the organizing committee gave an informative presentation about the workshop. After the presentation, plaques of appreciation were awarded to our academics and participants who contributed to the event.
The workshop will discuss topics such as developing sports infrastructure, encouraging youth participation in sports, supporting local sports clubs, and creating sustainable sports policies. With the participation of expert academics, coaches, sports managers, and youth representatives, solution proposals suitable for the local dynamics of Kastamonu will be developed.
At the end of the event, a decision will be made to prepare a final report containing actionable policy recommendations to advance Kastamonu's sports vision.
