Sports are popular in all countries, with many members of each population enjoying either taking part or being a spectator, or even both. In Turkey, however, there is something different about sport. It is actually mentioned in the country’s constitution. Article 59 states: “The State takes measures to develop the physical and mental health of Turkish citizens of all ages and encourages the spread of sports among the masses. The State protects successful athletes.”
As you can see, sport in Turkey is a very serious matter indeed. This article takes a look at the most popular sports and how they are played.
Football
Football or soccer is the most popular sport in Turkey and is often considered to be the country’s national game according to Jagran Josh. Perhaps the most famous team that is known around the world is Galatasaray, but there are many more world-class teams that play at international levels throughout the season.
Galatasaray’s name might be familiar to you even if you don’t follow football closely. This is the team that won the Super Cup by defeating Real Madrid (the European Champion League winners), and who beat Arsenal in the UEFA Cup Finals in the 1999 to 2000 football season. Many who had placed bets at Unibet won more than they were expecting that year.
Golf
Golf is a hugely popular sport in Turkey, and players from around the globe travel to the country to play on some of the finest courses in the world. The best courses are considered to be in Istanbul, Ankara, Bodrum, Mugla, and Cappadocia, but more and more are opening up in other areas not only for locals but to cash in on the lucrative golf tourism market.
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Players enjoy Turkish golf courses as they are not only fun to play, and they provide a challenge, but the scenery is stunning, and it makes a change from what they will all be used to.
Fishing
It should come as no surprise that fishing is a popular sport in Turkey considered the wonderful coastal regions and the fishing opportunities there. However, there are some important points to take note of because the Turkish fishing industry is heavily protected, and if a tourist goes against the rules, there could be serious consequences.
In Turkey, you can fish without a license in non-military and non-prohibited areas if you’re an amateur. This means using non-professional equipment that weighs no more than five kilograms. There are also restrictions on the number of fish that can be caught and how much they can weigh.
Windsurfing
Again, the beautiful sea on the coast of Turkey makes it ideal for windsurfing, particularly in the bays around Bordum, Cesme, and Datca. These areas are known to be some of the best windsurfing spots in the Mediterranean, and amateurs and experts alike enjoy the freedom that windsurfing offers. If you’re new to windsurfing, take some time to learn all about it on How to Windsurf 101.
If you’ve never tried this sport before or you want to brush up on your skills, you can book windsurfing lessons (as well as many other water sports) on most of the beaches in Turkey.
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