KASTAMONU (AA) ERKUT KARGIN Friends who were together in secondary school in Kastamonu are happy to come together to play basketball again after 25 years and to return to the park.
Şule Özbay, who participated in the “Mothers Compete” basketball competition organized by the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports on the occasion of Mother’s Day at her daughter’s request last year, took action to reunite with her friends with whom she played basketball while studying at different secondary schools.
Contacting his friends, Özbay convinced 14 of his friends, including housewives, engineers, civil servants, lawyers and academics. They returned to basketball, which they left years ago, with the team they founded in June last year.
Working in the gym two days a week under the direction of trainer Alptekin Kibaroğlu, they both remember the old days and do sports.
The basketball team, named Halime Sergeant Women’s Veteran Team, played a friendly match with the Gold Girls Veteran Team from Ankara on 10 December last year as part of the 103rd anniversary of the first women’s rally.
“Our friendship that started with sports did not end”
Lawyer Şule Özbay, who is the captain of the team, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Kastamonu is a small city but there is a great inclination towards sports.
Stating that they also started sports at a young age, Özbay said, “I have 30 years of friendship with many of my friends. We were rivals with some of them, we played in the same team with others, but somehow we were together in this field. Our friendship that started with sports did not end.” said.
Expressing that they got away from the stress of business life while playing basketball and they were very happy, Özbay said, “After we started playing as a team, we realized that we played well. With the support of our Governor, a friendly match was held on December 10 last year. We played the match with the participation of a huge audience, it was very exciting.” used the phrase.
Pointing out that he thinks they are a good example for his children, Özbay said, “We received tremendous feedback from those who participated as spectators. We started to make it a program to return it to the tournament every 10 December. This is our current goal.” he said.
Özbay noted that, since December 10 is the day of the first Turkish women’s rally in Kastamonu, they thought that a heroine should go out on the field, and that’s why they were named “Halime Sergeant Women Veteran Team”.
One of the team players, housewife Gaye Zor, also explained that she lost her husband 2 years ago due to coronavirus and went through difficult times, saying, “I came thinking it would be an environment where we will remember the old days. It was very good for me too. I have three children, all of them are interested in sports. We are coming with them, too. Here I am motivated, I am energized.” he said.
Mahinur Durmuş İskender stressing that he relieved all his tiredness while playing basketball, said, “Our harmony within the team is very good. Playing and training with the same team here with my twin gives me even more strength.” said.
“We had a very enjoyable and entertaining environment”
Kibaroğlu, on the other hand, said that Özbay’s daughter was coaching when he was offered to coach.
Noting that working with this age group is a different experience for him, Kibaroğlu said:
“I have worked with all age groups before, I have worked as an assistant coach in various leagues, but this is a very different experience. I am coaching my friends from 2025 years ago. What we have here is actually a family atmosphere. Children, spouses, all accompany them. It is a very enjoyable and fun experience. “Our priority is to have fun, to have fun, to be happy. Winning and losing are things that will happen as long as you work.”
Kaynak: A.A
