On an interview he gave to Alev Anakök from the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, Club President Faruk Eczacıbaşı speaks about the pandemic’s impacts on volleyball and the values of the Club, especially the Academy.
‘Once again we will be on top of Europe’
Sharing his opinion about the CEV Champions League’s cancellation, Club President Faruk Eczacıbaşı says, “This year the team has started with the Super Cup trophy and achieved another important result by finishing FIVB Club World Championship as the runners-up. We were continuing our Champions League campaign undefeated. Turkish clubs leading Europe has always made us proud. Of course, we would wish that such a pandemic would not happen and we could be able to finish the tournament. However health comes first and I support the decision of the European Volleyball Confederation. I hope we will once again be on top of Europe in healthier times.”
‘Our fight against the virus is not over yet’
Speaking of the Turkish Volleyball Federation’s decision to end the leagues, Eczacıbaşı says, “I would like to thank the Turkish Volleyball Federation for their decision of not continuing the leagues. Not only Turkey but the whole world goes through hard times. During such times the saying “Health comes first” makes even more sense. Covid-19 is a disease which can spread quickly and our fight is not over yet. In team sports, ball contact or physical contact is inevitable. We support this decision which allows us to isolate ourselves and stay safe.”
‘A busy schedule is ahead’
As the number of teams playing in the Vestel Venus Sultans League has increased to 16, Club President points that next season’s schedule will be busy: “It will be an intense season more than ever. The Club World Championship, Champions League, Turkish League and Turkish Cup matches are ahead. We will start the season earlier, and surely the schedule will be tight but we will prepare as good as possible and keep our physical condition high. Hopefully, without any injuries due to the intensity of the schedule, we will be able to finish the season in the best place possible.”
‘The distance between each other will grow unfortunately’
Speaking of the coronavirus’ impacts on the future of volleyball, Club President says, “We are transitioning to the ‘new normal’ by doing important changes. There will a period in which the social distancing will remain for a while. This situation will affect volleyball and other sports. We will miss seeing the supporters cheering their teams shoulder-to-shoulder. This period has positive and negative aspects which affect many different fields. In general, we have observed that digital transformation has gained pace during the pandemic. I think the majority will continue like this in the ‘new normal’. On the other hand, to avoid any crowds like before, the distance between each other will grow. The Academy coaches have made online classes with the players of our Academy and sports schools to let them stay unaffected by this period’s negativities. We try to continue our volleyball education as much as possible. I am sure we will continue where we have left and reach better places once we are all safe.”
‘We will use our resources more elaborately’
Asked about the financial aspects of this period on sports clubs, Club President also told about their plans for the upcoming season: “Many branches have been affected by the coronavirus. Especially the financial problems caused by the economic stagnation have put companies into trouble. All activities being stopped in the field of sports has surely posed financial difficulties to the clubs. We are a sports club with a history over half a century. We don’t only aim at being successful in the senior category but also give importance to the Academy to bring out new athletes, new stars for the future. During this period, we will use our resources more elaborately but continue working hard to realize our goals. Next season, we will compete with a powerful roster which will compose of both experienced, and young, talented players.”
Future Spike project
Expressing the importance our Club gives to its Academy and explaining the idea lying behind that, Faruk Eczacıbaşı says, “Since the foundation of our Club in 1966, we have worked hard to raise educated individuals who can serve our country and the Turkish sports. For each player who has been a part of the Club we have tried to create a home for sports where they can bring out their potentials according to this common goal. As we have seen how our efforts turned into raising many precious athletes, coaches and administrators, we wanted to achieve more. The Future Spike project which we have started with ES Volleyball Sports Club in 2016 has been our latest achievement in this sense. This is a long-term project through which we aim at increasing the number of girls who meet sports between the age of 6 and 13. How happy we are to say that in 2019 the number of girls receiving volleyball education in our volleyball schools reached 3,000.
‘Our efforts have been crowned’
Mentioning the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Women and Sports World Trophy which we received in 2018 as a Club, Eczacıbaşı expresses his feelings about the achievements of the Club:
“Both before my time as the President and in the past 21 years, all domestic and international achievements that we reached by working hard for our goals have made me feel happy and proud. What are these goals? Making sports more accessible for women and girls and being a Club that represents Turkish women who can jump into social life with the help of the presence of volleyball in their lives. If I take another look on the past 21 years from this perspective, I can say that being offered as a candidate by the Turkish Olympic Committee and receiving the IOC’s Women and Sports World Trophy has a special place in my heart. In fact, being selected for this award by the IOC means that all the efforts we made since over 50 years have been crowned. When I went to Buenos Aires for the award ceremony, the environment made me very proud. For each project, there was a determined woman representing it. Being able to be in such an atmosphere reminded me of what a precious thing that we have achieved.”
A message about the 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
Emphasizing the importance of sports at the interview which was published on 19 May, which is celebrated in Turkey as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, Club President finishes his words by sending a message to young people:
“Following Atatürk’s principles and raising many precious athletes, coaches and administrators who serve to Turkish sports, we as Eczacıbaşı Sports Club are aware of the importance of sports. During this time which we mostly spend at home, I would suggest young people to invest in themselves by doing sports, doing more research and reading.”
