Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently welcomed the women`s national volleyball team at the Presidential Complex. This special reception was held to honor the team`s remarkable achievement of securing a silver medal at the 2025 World Championship, which took place in Thailand.
The distinguished delegation included the accomplished team members, alongside Mehmet Akif Ustundag, president of the Turkish Volleyball Federation, board member Bahar Mert, and team manager Pelin Celik. Also present were prominent figures such as Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak, presidential adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic, and several members of parliament: Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoglu, Saffet Sancakli, Alpay Ozalan, and Unal Karaman. Deputy Minister Hamza Yerlikaya also attended the event.
During the gathering, President Erdogan conveyed his profound pleasure in hosting the players and took the opportunity to outline the team`s ambitious future goals. He emphatically stated: “Our targets are the 2026 European Championship and the 2028 Olympic Games.”
Minister Bak, in his address, commended the government`s substantial investments in sports infrastructure, proudly characterizing these efforts as a “revolution” in the sector. He further added that, as a direct result of these strategic initiatives, “our team has achieved a formidable standing in world volleyball, successfully overcoming powerful adversaries on their path to the World Championship final.”
The silver medal clinched by Turkey in Thailand represents the country`s finest performance ever at a World Championship. The team showcased an extraordinary campaign, navigating the group stage undefeated, and subsequently triumphing over Slovenia, the United States, and Japan in the intense knockout rounds to reach the final for the very first time. This historic second-place finish, following their match against Italy, proudly delivered Turkey`s inaugural World Championship medal.
Turkish Volleyball Federation President Ustundag affirmed that the unwavering support from the president had profoundly inspired the squad. He remarked: “The fact that our president received us and showed such close attention after our second-place finish significantly boosted our morale and strength. Knowing he is always by our side gives us immense courage.”
To conclude the memorable meeting, the team respectfully presented President Erdogan with a specially signed national team jersey and a commemorative plaque, symbolizing their gratitude and achievement.
Finley Blackwood 
Oliver Wrenwick