The “Olympic Solidarity Multi-Purpose Sports Halls” inaugurated at the Antakya Olympic Solidarity Sports Hall in Hatay, Türkiye. The Sports Hall was built as part of a long-term recovery plan, with valuable financial support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the European Olympic Committees (EOC), together with the collaboration of the Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (GSB), the Hatay Governorship, and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

The inauguration event also marked the opening of the “BtcTurk Sports Schools,” an initiative launched in collaboration with TOC’s Official Sponsor, BtcTurk. TOC President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener, Hatay Deputy Governor Doğukan Mızrak, GSB Deputy Director General of Sports Services Murat Kocakaya and fencer Enver Yıldırım who will represent Türkiye at Paris 2024, attended the ceremony.

The multi-purpose Sports Halls and schools, constructed in the Antakya and Defne districts of Hatay province, which were affected by the 2023 earthquake, aim to integrate sports into the lives of children, support their physical and mental development and contribute to their education. The facilities will play a crucial role in the rehabilitation process, with hundreds of children training in athletics, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, futsal, and volleyball under the guidance of experienced coaches.

In his speech Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener stated: “About 16 months ago, our region experienced a major disaster. In the context of healing these wounds, many organizations and people in our country have made serious efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate the region. Thanks to the substantial support of the IOC and EOC, and together with our local stakeholders, we are bringing to life, two multi-purpose sports halls and sports schools in this region. I would like to thank the International Olympic Committee, the European Olympic Committees, the Governorship of Hatay, and AFAD for their contributions in creating these opportunities.”