Club President Faruk Eczacıbaşı told about the history and the objectives of the Club at an interview he gave to Faik Gürses for the Turkish newspaper Posta.
“Eczacıbaşı has become a legend in volleyball”
Explaining that the Club has been founded in 1966 for a major purpose such as providing an opportunity for the professional practice of sports and raising successful, educated and morally strong athletes, our President tells how he felt at our very first title: “Our Women Volleyball Team has witnessed the first Turkish Championship title in 1972-1973 season. By that time, I was young and the rapid yet solid rise of the Club was exciting for all of us. Having claimed 17 back-to-back championships after that season, we broke a record and wrote history. Eczacıbaşı has become a legend in volleyball.”
Daughters of Atatürk
Feeling proud about the team being called as the “Daughters of Atatürk”, Eczacıbaşı says, “First of all, we are proud to be a Club which moves towards the principles of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Atatürk. Eczacıbaşı Sports Club has represented Turkey in our first important international achievement in volleyball by winning the second place in Europe in 1980. After this success which made us feel honored to make our country’s name heard, the Turkish press referred to our players as the ‘Daughters of Atatürk’. We have been called like that ever since. The reference to Atatürk makes me very proud.”
Self-confident Turkish women
Explaining what he advises the young athletes of our Academy, President Eczacıbaşı says, “We aim at making today’s young girls the self-confident Turkish women of tomorrow. That is why we always remind our young athletes that they need to improve themselves and aim not only to become good athletes but also strong individuals. Furthermore, he advises young people to care about their education, to do sports and read books.
Saying that we are sure to reach success as long as we continue to work as dedicated to our goals in a disciplined way, Eczacıbaşı adds, “With 28 Turkish Championship titles we continue walking in the front line. We are proud of representing Turkey by making our name heard through the World and the European championship titles we claimed. Each season we have an eye on all trophies. I believe we will reach many more achievements with that goal. But we strongly believe that some achievements are not attributed to wins but to goals. Bearing that philosophy in mind, we put the contributions we have made to women’s volleyball in Turkey and the achievements we have reached in a very special place.
‘Women and Sport World Trophy’
About the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Women and Sport World Trophy which we received in 2018, President Eczacıbaşı says, “As one of the pioneer Clubs of the world in women’s volleyball, we have received the IOC 2018 Women and Sport World Trophy for the work we have been doing to provide opportunities for thousands of young girls to play volleyball and raising the presence of women in sports. At the awards ceremony in Argentina, for each project there was a strong, determined woman. All participants from different continents were women and then I was on the stage. It was very nice and meaningful for me to stand out amongst them. Because this award is not directly related with the trophies we won in the field of sports or with our international achievements. Eczacıbaşı Sports Club has chosen to continue the road which it started with men’s basketball in the beginning with women’s volleyball only. Directing all of its resources and investments to this field, the Club has made sports more accessible for women. It has increased the participation of women and young girls in volleyball. So, our efforts have been crowned by the IOC trophy.”
“Turkey has a permanent place in women’s volleyball”
Reviewing Turkey’s place in women’s volleyball, our President says, “Turkey has a permanent place in women’s volleyball in top-level leagues. Because we have a strong base. Coaches and players are raised accordingly. There are many inspiring people in front of our young girls. Maybe, it will not be possible to claim all the World championship titles, but with all of our efforts, we brought women’s volleyball in Turkey to where it is now and I believe that after this point, as long as things are managed as is required, we will be remaining at the highest levels.”
