The Turkish amputee soccer nationwide group, contemporary off a historic win on the inaugural Balkan Championship and three consecutive European titles, is now centered on conquering the 2026 World Cup.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Alpaslan Erkoç, president of the Turkish Special Sports Federation, expressed his satisfaction in seeing the Turkish flag fly excessive on the Balkan Championship held in Albania.
“We’ve added a new achievement to our country’s history, showcasing the value we place on people with disabilities,” Erkoç stated, beaming with satisfaction for a group that stands as one of many nation’s most profitable sporting representatives.
Reflecting on their preparation, Erkoç famous the group endured a rigorous coaching camp forward of the match.
“Thanks to our hard work, we didn’t let anyone down. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, our deputy ministers, and all the bureaucrats who have supported us,” he stated.
Erkoç highlighted that the squad was youthful, composed of athletes aged between 16 and 22, marking a big step for the federation.
“We made history by fielding a team primarily made up of young talents at this championship. We’re committed to working tirelessly, day and night,” he added.
With the Balkan Championship trophy now added to their assortment, Erkoç shared future ambitions: “In 2025, we plan to participate in the Nations League, although the venue is yet to be determined. This will be a challenging endeavor, but we aim to emerge victorious and secure our spot in the World Cup. We’ve already begun preparations with great dedication for the World Cup set for 2026, as our ultimate goal is to make history again and become world champions.”
The amputee soccer nationwide group has not solely excelled on the sector however has additionally performed a significant position in integrating people with disabilities into society.
Erkoç introduced plans to assist these affected by the latest earthquakes, saying: “Our first plan for 2025 is to conduct assessments in the earthquake-stricken areas. We will focus on assisting individuals who have lost limbs in Hatay, Malatya, Adıyaman, and Kahramanmaraş. We aim to guide our disabled brothers and sisters into sports.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com