07 Dec 2011
Highlighting Rowing in Turkey
The World Rowing Forum is just over a month away in Istanbul, Turkey, and www.worldrowing.com takes a look at Turkish rowing through the eyes of Gursel Sen, Secretary General of the Forum’s organising committee. Sen is also a member of Turkey’s National Olympic Committee.
World Rowing: When did rowing start in Turkey?
Sen: Rowing started with seamanship and the progress was paralleled by the progress of the navy. The first regattas were held in the 16th Century on the Bosphorus (the strait that runs through Istanbul). Based on documents from Topkapi Palace 25 boats participated in a regatta in 1579.
The first official regatta was held in Istanbul in 1913.
The founder of the modern Turkish Republic is Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It is known that he did three sports: horse riding, rowing and swimming. He is our hero and also a rower. After the death of Ataturk in 1938 the popularity of rowing started to decrease.
In the 1940s Tavir-I Evkar newspaper started to organise regattas between Buyukdere and Bebek. This brought excitement to rowing.
In 1942 Samil Uralli participated in the Oxford-Cambridge boat race. He is the first Turkish citizen to become internationally known in the rowing world.
The first international success came in 1955 when Tonguc Tursan won a silver medal at the Mediterranean Games. (note: This year Turkey topped that by winning two silver and a bronze at the 2005 Mediterranean Games)
World Rowing: Where is the main base for rowing?
Sen: In the clubs. The success and progress in rowing is based on the competition between two top clubs, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. These clubs are not only for rowing, but for other sports as well. The rivalry between these clubs is based on football whose income finances all other activities in the clubs.
World Rowing: How many people row?
Sen: We have 446 women and 1,293 men with rowing licenses, but only approximately 400 of them are active in regattas, 18% of them are women.
World Rowing: What is the main age group of rowers?
Sen: The main age group is 14 ? 26. Most of the rowers are well educated and it is very difficult for them to row after finishing university when they become employed. When their professional life starts most quit active sport life.
World Rowing: How many rowing clubs are there in Turkey?
Sen: There are 26 clubs dealing with rowing and 15 of them are in Istanbul. Most of them are not like rowing clubs in Europe, rather they are the branches of sports clubs like Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.
World Rowing: Where are the main rowing venues in Turkey?
Sen: In Sapanca, about 100km from Istanbul. However, we have other venues in Ankara, Urfa, Fethiye and in Istanbul. In Istanbul, the venue is located at the historical Golden Horn. At the moment it is suitable for short distance races (1,000m).
World Rowing: How do you see the future of rowing in Turkey?
Sen: Turkey made positive moves in recent years. After getting several medals at the Balkan Rowing Championships, the biggest success came last year at the World Rowing Under 23 Regatta in Poland. Turkey won a gold medal in the coxless pair. Now we have to work hard to prove that it was not a coincidence and motivate others to achieve that goal.
World Rowing: What is Turkish rowing hoping to achieve by hosting the World Rowing Forum?
Sen: Rowing has a deep history in Turkey, but it is not very popular and well known nowadays. The Forum is a good chance for us to promote rowing. I believe most of the participants will also find interest from the culture in Istanbul, in addition to their professional gain from the Forum.
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