Kocaeli Hosts Underwater Hockey Worlds, Turkey Wins U19 Men's Gold

The Underwater Hockey World Championship was staged in Kocaeli, Turkey, from 16 – 26 July 2024 under the joint organization of the World Underwater Sports Confederation (CMAS), the Turkey Underwater Sports Federation (TSSF) and the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality. Athletes from 12 (later reported as 13) nations – about 520‑533 competitors – took part at the Gebze Olympic Indoor Swimming Hall.

Turkey’s junior teams secured two medals: the U19 men’s squad captured the gold medal and the U24 women’s team earned silver. The award ceremony was led by Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş and Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, with officials from CMAS, TSSF and local authorities present. The next edition of the championship was announced for 2028 in Western Australia.

The event highlighted Kocaeli’s role as a hub for international sport, drawing participants from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and others, and underscored Turkey’s growing strength in underwater hockey.