Young canoe athletes from Afyonkarahisar are preparing for the Turkey Cup

Young canoe athletes from Afyonkarahisar are preparing for the Canoe Turkey Cup, which will be held in Eskişehir between July 4-7. The pride of Afyonkarahisar, 18 young canoeists, are undergoing an intensive training program to represent Afyonkarahisar in the best possible way at this important event. This competition, which will take place before the Turkey championship competitions and national team selections, holds great significance for the athletes. Afyonkarahisar Youth and Sports Provincial Director Ismail Hakkı Kasapoğlu, Sports Services Director Yılmaz Erşen, Head of Athlete Development Department Turkey Sportive Talent Screening Program Branch Manager Fatih Konuksever, and School Sports Branch Director Adil Kamberoğlu visited the canoe athletes during their training sessions. Kasapoğlu met with the canoe athletes during their training, shared their excitement, and observed their work firsthand. During the visit, Kasapoğlu chatted with the young athletes, expressing his admiration for their love and discipline towards canoeing. Kasapoğlu made the following statements regarding the athletes: ‘We wanted to visit young canoe athletes who are preparing for training. I was amazed by the excitement and love for canoeing among the youth. The youth are working very well under the discipline of their coaches. Hopefully, these young people will return from where they go with medals. I got a promise from their coaches. We will produce at least 4 national athletes in the canoeing branch. In this regard, I thank the parents, athletes, coaching colleagues, and sports services unit.’ Canoe athletes’ preparation process from their perspective Young canoeists from Afyonkarahisar are experiencing the excitement of participating in the Turkey Cup while preparing for the competitions with an intense training program. Each athlete is working their hardest to succeed in this important event and achieve a good result in national team selections. The athletes’ coaches, led by Mert Yıldırım, aim to maximize the athletes’ performance with a disciplined and systematic training program. Young athlete Zeynep Beril Tuğrul said the following about the training process: ‘This competition is very important for us. We want to achieve a good result in the Turkey Cup. Our training sessions are very intense but we have adapted to this pace. With the support of our coaches, we are improving ourselves a little more each day. Our goal is to be selected for the national team and represent our country in international competitions.’ Canoe coach Mert Yıldırım provided the following information about the athletes’ preparation process: ‘Our young athletes are working with great determination and desire. Each of them is devoted to canoeing and has big goals. As coaches, we are trying to evaluate their desires and talents in the best possible way. The Turkey Cup is a great opportunity for our athletes. I believe they will be successful and return with medals.’ Expectations for the Future The young athletes from Afyonkarahisar have big goals. Each of them aims to achieve a good result in the Turkey Cup, participate in national team selections, and wear the national jersey. Both coaches and families are working with great dedication to help the athletes reach these goals. Young athlete Elif Benan Tuğrul expressed the following about her future goals: ‘I love canoeing and I want to be successful in this field. The Turkey Cup is a great opportunity for us. I want to achieve a good result, be selected for the national team, and represent our country in international competitions. We are working very hard to reach this goal and I believe we will succeed.’