Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) hosted the Dart Competitions organized by the Turkish University Sports Federation (TÜSF) between November 8-10. The tournament held at Lavanta Tepesi Hotel is the first official organization in the dart branch at the university level.
“Universities should now also be the center of sports”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar expressed great happiness in hosting such an organization and stated that the Turkish University Sports Federation has been undergoing a significant transformation process recently.
Rector Dalgar said, “The University Sports Federation is in serious change and development. The quality of sports organizations is increasing, and important steps are being taken for the participation of young people in sports. Today, we are not just holding a competition here, but a valuable meeting that will increase young people's interest in sports.”
Emphasizing the importance of sports in universities, Dalgar pointed out that sports are one of the most effective tools to keep young people away from bad habits:
“Sports instill discipline, focus, and responsibility. Regardless of the profession, individuals who engage in sports have a much higher rate of professional success.”
Dalgar also mentioned the “Sports-Friendly Campus” project, stating that MAKÜ aims to provide accessible sports infrastructure not only for professional athletes but for all students.
“Building facilities is not enough; the important thing is to organize events that will bring these facilities together with young people. At this point, our strongest partner is the Turkish University Sports Federation.” he said.
“Dart is a rising branch in university sports”
Another speech at the ceremony was made by the President of the Turkish University Sports Federation, Prof. Dr. Mutlu Türkmen. Türkmen stated that although the dart branch is new within university sports, it is rapidly developing, and important steps have been taken regarding international collaborations.
“Dart has now become a colorful and dynamic branch in the university sports community. We have had preliminary meetings with the World Dart Federation officials. Our goal is to organize an international tournament here next year,” he said.
Türkmen also expressed that the contacts made with the European University Sports Federation and the European Bowling Federation could enable the inclusion of the bowling branch in the European University Sports calendar.
Emphasizing that athletes should participate more actively in university organizations, Türkmen said, “These organizations not only develop the branch but also serve as a bridge to open new opportunities for our athletes on the international stage.”
Champions have been determined
In the competitions that lasted three days, fierce competition took place in women's, men's, and doubles categories.
In the Individual Women category:
1. Ayşe Bodur (Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University)
2. Müleyke Gültekin (Ankara Gazi University)
3. Öznur Teke (Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University)
4. Sonay Başarık (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
In the Individual Men category:
1. Muhammed Taha Aydın (Ankara Gazi University)
2. Mehmet Ali Taner (Pamukkale University)
3. Emirhan Kan Gündüz (Akdeniz University)
4. Mustafa Aksoy (Ankara Gazi University)
In the doubles competitions held on the second day, the teams ranked as follows:
Doubles Women:
1. Ayşe Bodur – Nesibe Yıldız (Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University)
2. Sudenaz Aydın – Müleyke Gültekin (Gazi University)
3. Zeynep Öğütveren – Serpil Uçar (Balıkesir University)
4. Sonay Başarık – Zehra Aktaş (Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Doubles Men:
1. Osman Oyran – Mehmet Ali Taner (Pamukkale University)
2. Halil Can Yıldız – Emirhan Kan Gündüz (Akdeniz University)
3. Abdurrahim Doğan – Turan Delice (Bayburt University)
4. Mustafa Aksoy – Mustafa Kılıçkaya (Gazi University)
Team Competitions:
1. Malatya İnönü University
2. Balıkesir University
3. Ankara Gazi University took the top three places.
Medals were presented to the winners
At the award ceremony held at the end of the tournament, medals and trophies were presented to the athletes who ranked in individual, doubles, and team categories by MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, President of the Turkish University Sports Federation Prof. Dr. Mutlu Türkmen, and Burdur Youth and Sports Provincial Director Orhan Kemerkaya.
The competitions, which lasted three days, provided colorful moments for both athletes and the university community and were considered an important step for the future of the dart branch in universities.
