What kind of sport is done in Turkey
Let’s provide insight into the current situation with sport in Turkey: if there are a lot of sports clubs available for foreign children, what kind of sport is the most popular, how children and adults can be signed up for sports classes, which documents are required in this case.
Sport in Turkey ─ living actively is simple and great fun
The mild marine climate, developed social and road infrastructure make Turkey an ideal country for those who love a healthy lifestyle and, of course, sport.
When moving to permanent residence, there are many of those who regard this aspect as a secondary matter, although some people choose Turkey on purpose for the opportunity to train all year round.
We will consider the opportunities that professional athletes and amateurs have based on the example of Antalya. But in general, this trend is typical for all cities in Turkey.
Sport for children in Antalya
Turkey has everything to promote a love of doing sport in a child from an early age.
Team sports are popular here, lots of boys spend all day playing football on the pitch during the holidays, and girls are often sent to do gymnastics.
At the same time, no one will impose on the child the activities they do not like, since the variety of sports clubs is so big that there is plenty to choose from.
All is simple: Don't like football? Try swimming. Don't want to go swimming? Ok, take up volleyball or something else. Sport should bring pleasure, not be a burden, and only then the results will please.
The whole range of sports is available and open for children with a residence permit in Turkey: Antalya, for example, has a “10,000 kisilik spor salonu” center with about thirty types of different sports clubs.
There is beach volleyball, pneumatic shooting, ping-pong, gymnastics, various martial arts, and here you can also sign up for team games. It is very easy to get registered, too: bring a child, choose the club, and sign up.
But don’t forget to take your residence permit and the child’s documents.
There are no restrictions for foreign children, all the same rules are applied for them as for locals. Classes at this center are free.
Under the country's sports federations aegis, there are clubs in various sports, including volleyball, basketball, football, swimming, triathlon, boxing, karate, taekwondo. Moreover, they are presented both at the professional and amateur levels.
In Antalya children and adults can attend for free 4 swimming pools, 3 of which are Olympic, two large stadiums, many football pitches, tennis courts, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts.
There you can practice on your own or under the supervision of a trainer, sign up for group classes and training. If you are worried that the child won’t make progress in the sport because of the language speaking difficulties, you can find individual training classes with English-speaking coaches and even such clubs.
A child with a residence permit needs to get a sports license in order to take part in competitions at the city level and higher. It is valid for a period of one year and issued by the Office of Youth and Sports. You can apply such a request to the coach or go to the institution yourself.
The list of documents for obtaining a sports license
A photo of a residence permit, a photo of a child;
A certificate from the federation of the corresponding sport from the country of origin and citizenship. It is required to indicate in this certificate that the child is not listed there. This is necessary so that the child can play for the Turkish club.
A health certificate (spor raporu) for a specific sport. It is issued by a family doctor. You can also go to a private clinic where the child will be examined by a pediatrician. The child also needs to get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done.
Sport for adults in Antalya
Whatever sport you would like to try, Antalya can definitely provide you with a suitable club to your liking.
You can choose individual and group training classes. Online classes are well developed for cyclic sports (running, swimming, and so on. You can also do yoga and dance, pilates or go to fitness-center.
Practically all the time the sunny weather literally pushes you to get out of the house and start moving rather than lying on the couch. In addition, even in winter, runners and triathletes, for example, can train outdoors in light clothing.
In terms of competitions, everything works the same way with adults as with children: if you plan to take part in competitions, races and swims at an amateur level and higher, you should get a sports license.
Those who love team sports and are willing to get into tournaments have to start with qualifying competitions: first, players are selected for the League (for example, football).
Teams are formed in the League among those who have been able to show good results. And only then the teams are allowed to participate in the tournaments.
Licenses for team members are issued by the club. In Antalya there are clubs founded by well-known Turkish football clubs such as Besiktas, Antalyaspor, Fenerbahce, and others. For beginners, there are tournaments that are very useful for maintaining motivation and improving skills.
The same thing is related to volleyball, basketball ─ you can just go and play on the outdoor courts (the city has loads of them), or you can practice these sports professionally.
Run in Turkey
For runners, Turkey is a real paradise. However, it is true for other athletes as well.
But in running, excellent climatic conditions are complemented by stunning views of the local nature ─ just imagine incredibly spectacular races along salt Lake Tuz, the ultramarathon in Cappadocia, the half marathon in the city of Kaş and many others.
Ultramarathons are generally held quite often here. The interest of participants is fueled by rather difficult conditions ─ they have to do the marathon including the run in the mountains, which makes the task more complicated and lets them test themselves for strength and stamina.
There are races for runners of all levels. In Antalya, it is Rantala (for 10, 21 and 42 kilometers), in Istanbul it is a marathon, in Bodrum they arrange races for 5, 10 and 21 kilometers. Half marathons are held in all major cities. Besides the capital city, marathons are also held in Mersin, Canakkale, and Izmir.
Swimming in Antalya
Swimmers (both amateurs and professionals) are welcomed to take part in the Aquamasters series of competitions ─ they are arranged three or four times a year and in different cities. Participants compete for speed in the open waters. They cover the distances from 400 meters to 6 kilometers. Everyone is allowed to participate.
Golf in Turkey
Almost everyone has heard about the gorgeous golf courses in Belek!
These are very well-groomed plots of land located on a 20-kilometer strip with lakes, neatly trimmed lawns and surrounded by coniferous forests of 18-hole and 9-hole and even 27-hole fields.
Every year European championships and various tournaments are held here. Golf lovers and competitors come from all over the world, and especially from Europe.
The traditional oil wrestling gyuresh
I would like to say a few more words about the traditional oil wrestling gyuresh - one of the most ancient competitions held in Turkey since the XIV century AD, that is, more than 650 years.
This sport got its name "oil" from the fact that athletes rub themselves abundantly with oil before competitions.
This sport requires a lot of strength, dexterity and skill, and it is very popular - up to one and a half hundred gures wrestling competitions and festivals are held annually in different regions of Turkey, which is even listed in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list!
