Turkish cities roll out free summer sports schools for thousands of children

Municipalities across Turkey launched free summer sport programs for children and youth. In Ankara’s Keçiören district, the Yaz Spor Okulları enrolled roughly 5,500 participants aged 7‑17 and offered training in 24 different sports, from football and basketball to wushu and swimming. İzmir’s Karşıyaka district ran a six‑week orient‑training course for 40 youngsters, while Çankaya’s joint initiative with the Gençlerbirliği club provided a free football school for over 100 children aged 6‑15. Kocaeli’s Sabri Baran Navşar sports school opened its third edition with about 370 students, and Diyarbakır’s municipality organized free tennis courses that attracted 540 learners, including 220 children. In Bursa’s Yıldırım district, a football and table‑tennis tournament linked to Quran courses brought together children from local mosques. Nevşehir’s governor visited a free football school serving more than 100 youths. All programs emphasized physical fitness, teamwork, discipline and social development, aiming to keep children active during the summer holidays.

These initiatives, funded and coordinated by local governments, represent a coordinated effort to promote healthy lifestyles, community cohesion and youth development nationwide.