The UNILIG Summer SportsFest Türkiye Championships, organized by the Turkish University Sports Federation (TÜSF), officially commenced with an opening ceremony hosted by Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU).

The ceremony was attended by OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, President of the Turkish University Sports Federation and Rector of Bayburt University Prof. Dr. Mutlu Türkmen, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sumer, and Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Erhan Burak Pancar, Dean of the Yaşar Doğu Faculty of Sports Sciences Prof. Dr. Murat Eliöz, Samsun Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Feyzullah Dereci, TÜGVA Samsun Provincial Representative Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serhat Erail, academics, referees, coaches, and student-athletes from universities across Türkiye.

Following a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, Turkish University Sports Federation President Prof. Dr. Mutlu Türkmen emphasized the continuous growth of university sports in Türkiye, noting that tens of thousands of student-athletes currently compete in more than 60 sports disciplines under the federation.

Prof. Dr. Mutlu Türkmen: “Türkiye Is a Leading Country in University Sports”

Türkmen highlighted the importance of the Sports-Friendly Campus Project, noting that hosting the championship at Ondokuz Mayıs University, one of the campuses awarded this distinction, added special significance to the event.

“As the Turkish University Sports Federation, we not only organize national competitions but also represent our country successfully at European and global university sports events. The medals and international achievements we have earned in recent years are clear evidence of this success. The true architects of these achievements are our student-athletes,” he said.

Türkmen thanked Ondokuz Mayıs University and the Samsun Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports for hosting the championship and wished all participants success in the competition.

Rector Aydın: “Samsun Is Where Sports and Youth Meet”

In her address, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın expressed her pleasure at welcoming athletes from across Türkiye to Samsun.

Emphasizing Samsun’s strong sporting infrastructure and deep-rooted sports culture, Rector Aydın described the city as one of Türkiye’s leading sports hubs. She noted that university sports contribute not only to students’ physical development but also to the cultivation of discipline, teamwork, leadership, and fair play.

Aydın also congratulated OMU students who recently achieved success at international competitions:

“We are proud that our Sports Management student Yasin Muhittin Can became World Champion by winning the gold medal in Muay Thai at the World University Championship, and that another Sports Management student, Oğulcan Koçboğa, won the gold medal at an international judo tournament.”

She expressed her hope that the UNILIG Summer SportsFest Türkiye Championships would foster new friendships and lasting memories among participants and thanked the Turkish University Sports Federation, public institutions, and all stakeholders who contributed to the organization.

Feyzullah Dereci: “Samsun Is Ready for Even Larger Events”

Samsun Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Feyzullah Dereci thanked all institutions and partners involved in the event and emphasized Samsun’s role as a major center for sports organizations.

“Samsun has always been a city that hosts pioneering events. With its modern facilities and strong infrastructure, it has the capacity to host even larger national and international competitions. I believe this championship will make a valuable contribution both to our city and to university sports,” he said.

Following the speeches, plaques of appreciation were presented by the Turkish University Sports Federation to OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın and Samsun Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Feyzullah Dereci in recognition of their contributions to higher education and university sports.

The program concluded with a group photograph featuring protocol members and participating athletes.