May 23, 2026
WORLD FAIR PLAY DAY CELEBRATED IN UŞAK
The 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day and World Fair Play Day were celebrated together in Uşak through a comprehensive organization. The official launch of the “Sports-Based Social Cohesion and Rehabilitation Project for the Prevention of Crime” was held, aiming to reintegrate disadvantaged and at-risk youth into society through sports. From a ceremonial parade to exhibition matches, the day-long activities brought the spirit of fair play onto the field.
May 19, officially declared by the United Nations as World Fair Play Day, was marked this year in Türkiye with a meaningful and large-scale organization. Organized by the Protection Board Presidency of the Uşak Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Uşak Probation Directorate and the Fair Play Commission of the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOK), the “Sports-Based Social Cohesion and Rehabilitation Project for the Prevention of Crime” was officially launched during ceremonies held within the scope of the 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.
The event, held at the Uşak Science High School Sports Hall, was attended by Uşak Governor Serdar Kartal, Uşak Chief Public Prosecutor İsmet Çınar, members of the judicial and administrative protocol, TMOK Fair Play Commission President Remzi Yılmaz, commission members, institution directors, teachers, students and numerous guests.
Before the official program, a large ceremonial parade was organized around the school area. Students and athletes marched alongside the full Uşak protocol carrying Turkish flags and delivering fair play messages. The sports hall and surrounding streets were decorated with flags, banners and pennants reflecting the spirit and significance of the day. The visual atmosphere combined the enthusiasm of May 19 with the universal values of fair play.
As the protocol entered the hall, Norm Ender’s anthem “Parla” was played, and the program began with a moment of silence followed by the Turkish National Anthem. Throughout the day, the events emphasized that sport is not only about competition, but also about friendship, brotherhood, honesty and sportsmanship.
ÇINAR: FAIR PLAY IS NECESSARY IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE
In his opening speech, Uşak Chief Public Prosecutor İsmet Çınar underlined that fair play is not only needed on sports fields but also in every aspect of life as a universal value. He stated that honesty, respect, empathy, adherence to rules and behavior worthy of human dignity form the foundation of the fair play spirit.
Çınar emphasized that spreading this understanding among children and young people through the unifying power of sport would contribute to building a more conscious and stronger society. Recalling that the project was implemented in cooperation with the Uşak Governorship, the Uşak Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the TMOK Fair Play Commission, he noted that the initiative carried out under the motto “From School to the Olympics” aims to bring children and youth together with sports.
Çınar also highlighted the importance of celebrating World Fair Play Day in Uşak, saying that the organization would contribute significantly to the city’s national and international recognition.
YILMAZ: UŞAK WILL BE ETCHED INTO THE MEMORY OF THE FAIR PLAY WORLD
TMOK Fair Play Commission President Remzi Yılmaz emphasized the historical importance of May 19 for the Turkish nation in his speech. Yılmaz stated that May 19, now recognized globally as World Fair Play Day by the United Nations, being combined with the launch of such a meaningful project added special value to the event.
Describing the organization in Uşak as a social responsibility project that could serve as an example to the world, Yılmaz said: “By launching this meaningful project today, we are sending a message from Uşak to the entire world. This message will engrave the name of Uşak into the memory of the fair play world.”
Yılmaz also noted that alongside cities such as Konya and Mardin, Uşak has now become one of the cities identified with fair play in Türkiye. He thanked all institutions contributing to the organization, especially Uşak Governor Serdar Kartal and Chief Public Prosecutor İsmet Çınar, on behalf of the TMOK Fair Play Commission.
“FROM SCHOOL TO THE OLYMPICS” PROJECT LAUNCHED
The concept and preparation process of the “From School to the Olympics” project, launched within the organization, were developed by Uşak Probation Director Özgür Bozat and TMOK Fair Play Commission Member Ufuk Timer. It was stated that field applications of the project would be carried out jointly by the TMOK Fair Play Commission and the Uşak Probation Directorate teams.
Uşak Public Prosecutor Ahmet Murat Özkan also played an active role in the planning and implementation process of the organization and made significant contributions to the preparation of the event.
Within the scope of the signed cooperation protocol, the project aims to direct children aged 12-18 under probation measures toward sports activities, help them gain discipline and team spirit, develop healthy lifestyle habits and strengthen their social integration processes.
Sports activities, educational programs, awareness events and fair play-themed practices will be implemented throughout the project. It is also aimed at introducing children to sports culture and Olympic values, enabling them to participate more strongly in social life.
SPORTS ACTIVITIES BROUGHT FAIR PLAY ONTO THE FIELD
As part of the program, Fair Play service medals and plaques were presented. Awards were given to educators, academics, institution representatives and organization officials who contributed to the unifying power of sport.
Students also actively participated in the events, which continued with folk dance performances. One of the most remarkable parts of the organization was the exhibition matches. The ceremonial tip-off of the boys’ basketball exhibition game between Uşak Science High School teams was performed by Governor Serdar Kartal. The girls’ volleyball match began with the first serve by Chief Public Prosecutor İsmet Çınar.
During the exhibition matches, young athletes demonstrated that honesty, respect, team spirit and sportsmanship are as essential to sport as winning itself.
MESSAGE OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION THROUGH PICK-PONG
One of the most remarkable sports branches featured in the organization was Pick-Pong, an inclusive sport developed in Türkiye within the scope of the “Sports-Based Social Cohesion and Rehabilitation Project for the Prevention of Crime.”
Developed by Davut Güngör and Alex Nışan Kıllıoğlu and officially registered with international game regulations, Pick-Pong stands out with its structure that brings together individuals of all ages, genders, physical abilities and socio-economic backgrounds on the same field.
During exhibition matches inaugurated by Uşak Governor Serdar Kartal, male and female athletes competed together. It was emphasized that Pick-Pong, centered on the unifying power of sport, added significant value to the project through its contribution to social cohesion, rehabilitation processes and efforts to steer young people away from harmful habits.
The day-long activities concluded with a group photo session and medal ceremony.
Note: Uşak is one of the city in west of Türkiye
