"We will create an environment where our children will acquire discipline and national feeling."

The Turkish Karate Federation organized a karate tournament to aid Gaza. Turkish Karate Federation President Ercüment Taşdemir, who attended the event held at the Ataköy Sports Hall, spoke to an İhlas News Agency (İHA) reporter. President Taşdemir emphasized the importance of bringing the event to the international stage, stating that this event would serve as an example for other federations.

"Our main goal is not to forget Gaza and not to let it be forgotten"

President Taşdemir expressed his satisfaction with the interest in the event, saying, "As the Turkish Karate Federation, we are organizing a karate tournament for Gaza. Nearly 2,000 athletes attended our hall today for this tournament. Athletes from all branches are participating. They will be on the tatami to support Gaza. This tournament is essentially a charity tournament, but our true goal is to remember Gaza and to ensure its continued existence. Just as our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's concern is Gaza, we organized this tournament to ensure our President's commitment to this cause. We carried out this event with the support of our federations and ministers."

"We are striving to draw the world's attention to Gaza"

Ercüment Taşdemir emphasized their aim to take the event to the international arena, saying, "We aim to expand this organization to include all of Türkiye. We can also take this competition to the international arena. We're saying that participation is only from Turkey, but there are also athletes from Syria and Palestine. They've come here to support us. We're striving to draw the world's attention to Gaza. We're the first federation in Türkiye to do this. I hope this will set an example for all our federations. If we can't do anything, I think we shouldn't let this issue be forgotten."

Taşdemir stated that they strived to bring karate to every region of Türkiye during their term. "Ten months have passed since we took office. During this period, we organized a total of 46 events. We will continue our activities for the remaining three months. Most importantly, we ensured that these events were expanded throughout Turkey. We organized five Premier Leagues in Türkiye. Two of these were held in Diyarbakır and Muş. These events are invaluable when considered within the framework of the expansion process. We organized the second karate championship in Diyarbakır's history and the first in Muş's history during our term. Türkiye's best athletes visited five different regions of Türkiye and left a deep mark on the regions they visited. There is a Karate Federation operating throughout Türkiye. We will create an environment where our children and young people can gain discipline, national awareness, and national feeling through the sport of karate," he concluded.

UAV

Reporter: News Center