Turkish municipalities launch free summer sports programs for children

Municipal authorities in several Turkish cities have opened free summer sports and educational programs for children and teenagers. In Balıkesir, the Büyükşehir Belediyesi runs Yaz Spor Okulları with 17 sports, serving about 1,300 youngsters aged 6‑14 and offering online registration. İzmir’s Marina hosts water‑sport courses—including swimming, diving, sailing and rowing—for ages 6‑18, accompanied by environmental talks. Şanlıurfa’s Büyükşehir Belediyesi operates nine public pools, providing supervised swimming lessons for youths during extreme heat. Gümüşhane introduced a portable pool in Torul, delivering free swimming instruction to roughly 95 children. Aydın’s mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu highlighted volleyball camps that teach teamwork and discipline. In Çıldır, the district kaymakam organized a Qur’an‑course football tournament to promote friendship and fair play. Officials repeatedly emphasized the aim of fostering healthy, socially‑active youth: Ahmet Akın said the goal is “to make the city a sports hub,” while Fatih Karabatı noted the importance of “nature‑based education.” All programs are offered at no cost and are intended to keep children active and engaged throughout the summer holidays.