A javelin competition was organized in Bayburt on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.

As part of the activities for the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, a javelin throwing competition was organized in Bayburt. The competition, where Kop Equestrian Sports Club faced off against Çoruh Equestrian Sports Club, attracted great interest from the public. In Bayburt, where the traditional sport of javelin throwing is kept alive, javelin throwing was also included in the 4-day long July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day events. The opening speech of the competition was given by the Youth and Sports Provincial Director Adem Köse, who commemorated the heroic martyrs with mercy and gratitude, saying, ‘On July 15, in remembrance of our beloved martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the call to prayer, flag, homeland, and independence, who make us feel the spirit of Çanakkale, I remember our dear martyrs with love, respect, mercy, and gratitude. The Turkish nation is inherently a sportsman. I say the best Turks ride horses, and I initiate the traditional equestrian javelin competition.’ Kop Equestrian Sports Club and Çoruh Equestrian Sports Club displayed a sportsmanlike competition in the competition held in the equestrian javelin field in Bayburt. The match, watched by the provincial protocol and the public, ended in a draw. Towards the middle of the match, young javelin athlete Samet Saka fell off the horse. Getting up from where he fell, Saka told the referee that he was fine and continued with the match. At the end of the match, which attracted great interest from the public, both clubs were presented with a cup in memory of the day. At the end of the match, Bayburt Governor Mustafa Eldivan presented the cups to the club presidents and delivered a message of unity. Governor Eldivan, who stated that such equestrian sports should continue, said, ‘I find these races meaningful within the scope of the July 15 National Unity Day activities. I thank our presidents and our athlete brothers and sisters in your presence; both teams were declared winners. Let our numbers increase, let our joy increase, and let these types of sports continue. I extend my respect and greetings to all of you.’ After the presentation of the cups, the competition ended with a group photo session.