Shane Larkin: Turkish Basketball Star Making a Difference for Children

Ceren Naz Büyük / [email protected]

Creation Date: July 02, 2023 07:00

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Shane Larkin, the player of Anadolu Efes, the last champion of the Turkish Basketball Super League… After coming to Turkey, he got Turkish citizenship and wore the national jersey. At the end of last year, he established a foundation and started to work for the benefit of children. He explains why he founded the foundation that bears the name of Larkin: “I was looking for a way to repay what this community has given me off the field.”

We were with Shane Larkin when he met with children at the Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation (TEGV) Ferit Aysan Park. The eyes of the waiting children lit up as he entered the basketball court. They had basketballs signed. They gave their pictures and asked questions. Shane Larkin Foundation; It was established in December 2022 to support disadvantaged children of primary and secondary school age. After the earthquake disasters, it cooperated with TEGV and worked to ensure that the children in the region integrate into social life, stay psychologically healthy and continue their education. Larkin, who has obsessive compulsive disorder, aims to raise awareness on this issue and to support children in similar situations. He describes his situation as follows: “My obsession was with germs. I don’t think about it when playing basketball. I got help and believed I would get better because of my passions.”

◊ Have you ever dreamed of starting a foundation bearing your name?

I have been in Turkey for more than 5 years.
I was looking for a way to repay what this community has given me off the field. I realized that I could do this through the foundation.

◊ What does living in Turkey and obtaining citizenship mean to you?

I don’t know how to put it into words, but when I came to Istanbul from the USA 5 years ago, I was looking for something to hold onto to feel at home. I felt more at home with each new year. He added a lot to my career and me, changed the way I think. I am happy for what Turkey has given me, it made me feel real love. Being a part of the culture makes you feel even more at home. I feel far from home when I am outside of Türkiye.

◊ Do you have any favourites?

I really like Istanbul, I love Bodrum very much.

◊ You spent today with the children. How does it make you feel that they are so energetic?

Children have very good energy. It is good for me to take care of them and visit them. It’s already a great feeling to see their smiles.

‘Leaders of the future’

◊ Children are the focus of the foundation. Why did you choose them when you set out to pay off your debt to society? What do children mean to you?

With this foundation, we wanted to offer children an opportunity. Opportunities like this are very important to children. I see them as future leaders. If such foundations increase, we can raise children as good minds.

◊ What are the foundation’s plans? What steps will you take in the future?

It is our greatest desire to grow our foundation by maintaining interaction and communication with the society. We want to continue on our way with bigger projects.

◊ Do you have any advice for kids who want to be basketball players?

You get what you give to this game. The more you devote yourself to basketball, the more rewards you get, the more talent you gain. Of course, there will be moments when you fall and get up, but it’s important not to give up, you have to keep going.

◊ Before I came here, I read a review about you: “Larkin is a good basketball player, but his character is just as good.” Do you hear this often?

Yes, it’s been said before. I’m happy that they feel that way. Character is also very important on the field. Your teammates trust you, love you…

“It’s good for me to take care of children and visit them.”

2023-07-02 04:31:28
#feel #home #Türkiye