The 23rd International Sports Science Congress, organised in collaboration with Erzurum Technical University (ETU), Atatürk University and the Sports Science Association, has commenced.
The opening programme of the congress, organised to share current developments in sports sciences, discuss new ideas and strengthen national and international collaborations, was attended by the Rector of Erzurum Technical University and Congress President Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak, the Rector of Atatürk University and Congress President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, Prof. Dr. Mutlu Türkmen, Rector of Bayburt University and President of the Türkiye University Sports Federation, Prof. Dr. İsmet Altıntaş, Vice-Rector of Türkiye-Kyrgyzstan Manas University, and Prof. Dr. Fikret Soyer, President of the Sports Sciences Association, along with numerous academics, students, and researchers.
Speaking at the programme, ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak expressed his great pleasure at hosting Türkiye's largest and most comprehensive sports science congress together with Atatürk University, stating: "Sport, just like science, is a journey that shapes people both physically and mentally. That is why I believe that sports science should have an important place in the world of education. At Erzurum Technical University, we guide our educational life with this understanding, attaching equal importance to both the academic and sporting achievements of our students. Because we know that a person who achieves both academic and sporting success will become a stronger, more equipped and more effective individual in society. In this context, Erzurum Technical University's achievement of the Turkish Championship in the 2024-2025 season in the competitions organised by the Turkish University Sports Federation is a fine example of the sporting success I have mentioned. This achievement exemplifies perseverance, discipline, and teamwork. However, I would like to remind you that sport is not just about winning; every competition offers an opportunity for learning, development, and growing together."
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu highlighted Erzurum's advantages in terms of sports science and athlete performance:
"Erzurum has a unique geographical advantage not only for winter sports but also for summer sports. With an altitude exceeding 2,000 metres, clean air and extensive training areas, it has great potential, especially for endurance sports. Our Faculty of Sports Sciences and our Sports Sciences Application and Research Centre house Türkiye's most advanced athlete performance laboratories. In our motion analysis, exercise physiology and neuropsychology laboratories, athletes are guided by scientific data and helped to achieve maximum performance. We want to make Erzurum a year-round sports centre, contributing to both national and international athletes and research."
During the three-day conference, scientists, researchers and students will come together in both face-to-face and online sessions to deliver scientific presentations, hold workshops and engage in interactive sharing.
Corporate Communications and Promotion Directorate December 2, 2025
