Inter-University Personnel Sports Competitions Started at MAKÜ

The Inter-University Personnel Sports Competitions, organized for the first time by the Turkish University Sports Federation (TÜSF), started under the hosting of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ). The organization, which includes academic and administrative staff from different universities in Turkey, will continue until June 7.

In the competitions held at MAKÜ sports facilities, a total of 22 teams and 205 athletes from 15 universities are competing in football, volleyball, and table tennis. The four-day organization aims to bring university employees together through sports while also strengthening inter-institutional solidarity and friendship.

In the football category, Afyon Kocatepe, Atatürk, Bayburt, Süleyman Demirel, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Bursa Uludağ, Erciyes, Gazi, Giresun, Isparta Applied Sciences, Istanbul Technical, Osmaniye Korkut Ata, and Pamukkale universities are on the field; in volleyball, teams from MAKÜ, Erciyes University, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, and Pamukkale University are competing. In table tennis, athletes from MAKÜ, Erciyes University, Isparta Applied Sciences University, Pamukkale University, and Süleyman Demirel University are competing for rankings.

Rector Dalgar: “An organization that sets an example for the youth”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar expressed great satisfaction in hosting the organization that brings together university staff.

Rector Dalgar stated that the sports facilities were realized with public resources and support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, emphasizing that it is an important responsibility to present these facilities for the service of university sports. He noted that it is encouraging to see a high participation in the organization despite it being held for the first time, and wished for the competitions to be completed in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood.

Rector Dalgar highlighted the importance of young people engaging more with sports in the digital age, emphasizing that the presence of academic and administrative staff on the field serves as an example for students. He also added that he believes the organization will become traditional with broader participation in the coming years.

Türkmen: “We are strengthening the sports-friendly campus understanding”

TÜSF President Prof. Dr. Mutlu Türkmen stated that sports are not limited to students, and that academic and administrative staff working at universities should also be a part of a healthy living culture.

Prof. Dr. Türkmen noted that such organizations that increase inter-university interaction provide significant gains, stating that the competitions are not just about sports competition, but also contribute to the establishment of new friendships.

Prof. Dr. Türkmen thanked the university administration for hosting, stating that MAKÜ has become an important center in federation activities. He wished for friendship, sportsmanship, and fair play to be at the forefront throughout the organization, and noted that the goal is to expand the organization with more categories and participants in the coming years.

Support message from the rectors

During the opening program, Fırat University Rector and TÜSF Vice President Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Göktaş, Süleyman Demirel University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Saltan, and Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacı Müftüoğlu also gave greeting speeches wishing for the organization to proceed in a sportsmanlike and successful manner.

The competitions that bring university staff together under the umbrella of sports will conclude with the final matches to be played on June 7 and the award ceremony to be held.