Volleyball Olympian Eda Erdem Joins Forces With 900 Female Students In TOC’s “Empowering Girls Through Sport“
Turkish Olympic Committee
ADANA, May 24, 2023 - A remarkable gathering of 900 female students participated in the "Empowering Girls Through Sport Project" held in Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa on May 20th and 21st. Organized by the Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) and supported by Olympic Solidarity, the project aims to provide sports training to girls aged 10-14 who are in secondary education, integrating sports into their lives to enhance their self-confidence, self-esteem, and educational pursuits.
During the event, in addition to receiving sports equipment such as tracksuits, t-shirts, and shoes, the children had the opportunity to meet and participate in sports activities with Eda Erdem. Eda is a two-time Olympian, having represented Turkey at London 2012 before serving as the captain of the team at Tokyo 2020. She also holds the position of Chair of the TOC's Athletes Commission.
Turkish Women’s Volleyball Team Captain and Olympian Eda Erdem greeting female participants
"They will discover the strength they have gained through sports"
Reflecting on the experience, Eda Erdem expressed her delight, stating: "We had two joyful days. The excitement and happiness in the children’s eyes were contagious. The work we do holds immense value as sports greatly contribute to the development of children, who represent the bright future of our nation. This project teaches them the importance of sharing, instils discipline, and empowers and inspires them to become strong individuals in the future. I am confident that they will one day say, 'I'm glad I engaged in sports in the past.' They will come to realize that the strong character they have today is a direct result of their involvement in sports.”
"Achieving a more equal and promising future through empowered girls"
Neşe Gündoğan, Secretary General of TOC, emphasized the significance of the project, stating: "We firmly believe that our Project, supported by the Olympic Solidarity, and implemented in 4 schools in Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, and Şanlıurfa, will greatly contribute to the physical and mental development of our girls. By providing them with adequate opportunities, we aim to nurture healthy, self-confident, successful individuals, who may even become future national athletes. Our activities have reemphasised that when girls in this country are given equal opportunities, a more equitable and promising future becomes achievable."
About TOC's Empowering Girls Through Sport Project
Launched in 2021, TOC's Empowering Girls Through Sports Project strives to empower girls by integrating sports into their lives and leveraging the transformative power sports possess. The project strives to enhance girls' self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall character, enabling them to pursue education while actively participating in sports. Implemented in collaboration with the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports in Diyarbakır, the Metropolitan Municipality of Gaziantep, and the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports in Şanlıurfa, the project provides expert-led sports training to over 1,200 girls aged every weekend. TOC covers all expenses and necessities of the project, thanks to the support of Olympic Solidarity.
During the event, in addition to receiving sports equipment such as tracksuits, t-shirts, and shoes, the children had the opportunity to meet and participate in sports activities with Eda Erdem. Eda is a two-time Olympian, having represented Turkey at London 2012 before serving as the captain of the team at Tokyo 2020. She also holds the position of Chair of the TOC's Athletes Commission.
Turkish Women’s Volleyball Team Captain and Olympian Eda Erdem greeting female participants
"They will discover the strength they have gained through sports"
Reflecting on the experience, Eda Erdem expressed her delight, stating: "We had two joyful days. The excitement and happiness in the children’s eyes were contagious. The work we do holds immense value as sports greatly contribute to the development of children, who represent the bright future of our nation. This project teaches them the importance of sharing, instils discipline, and empowers and inspires them to become strong individuals in the future. I am confident that they will one day say, 'I'm glad I engaged in sports in the past.' They will come to realize that the strong character they have today is a direct result of their involvement in sports.”
"Achieving a more equal and promising future through empowered girls"
Neşe Gündoğan, Secretary General of TOC, emphasized the significance of the project, stating: "We firmly believe that our Project, supported by the Olympic Solidarity, and implemented in 4 schools in Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, and Şanlıurfa, will greatly contribute to the physical and mental development of our girls. By providing them with adequate opportunities, we aim to nurture healthy, self-confident, successful individuals, who may even become future national athletes. Our activities have reemphasised that when girls in this country are given equal opportunities, a more equitable and promising future becomes achievable."
About TOC's Empowering Girls Through Sport Project
Launched in 2021, TOC's Empowering Girls Through Sports Project strives to empower girls by integrating sports into their lives and leveraging the transformative power sports possess. The project strives to enhance girls' self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall character, enabling them to pursue education while actively participating in sports. Implemented in collaboration with the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports in Diyarbakır, the Metropolitan Municipality of Gaziantep, and the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports in Şanlıurfa, the project provides expert-led sports training to over 1,200 girls aged every weekend. TOC covers all expenses and necessities of the project, thanks to the support of Olympic Solidarity.
News from the same category
