Sports

Futbol is the magic word for Turks. It means soccer. The celebrations after Turkey's being 3rd rank on the 2002 FIFA World Championship are still recalled. Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, and Trabzonspor are the names of the top soccer teams in Turkey. Everybody is expected to be the fan of one of them. Soccer is also the favorite sport of children. Sometimes, at the middle of the night you may hear the continuous sound of cars honking their horns. This usually means The Turkish National team or one of the popular team has beat its rival. Before important soccer matches, which are held literally every weekend, the roads around the stadium at which the match will take place are blocked. Almost every district has illuminated rug-covered football fields enabling you to play at night for a reasonable price.

Basketball is the second most popular sport in Turkey. Interest in this sport increased after the Turkish National Team achieved 2nd place at the European Basketball Championships in 2001 and had the right to participate in the World Basketball Championship held in the States in late 2002. Almost all well known teams have their own basketball and volleyball schools and several parks in town either have a basket crucible or small field.

Fitness centers abound in major cities and are very popular among all age groups. The most loyal devotees tend to be middle-aged women, who are trying their best to stay in shape and look young. Businessmen and women also frequent the gyms as a way of relieving stress. Some gyms are notorious for being "pick-up-joints". If it's not your scene, find one that offers you what you want … there are plenty to choose from.

Tennis, golf, riding and marksmanship are the most expensive sports in Turkey. Istanbul offers some fantastic golf courses, but the best are known to be in the south, near Antalya and along the Mediterranean Coast. Moreover, through the sport complexes of the Municipalities tennis is now available to everybody. Almost all have tennis courts and you don't need to be a member to play tennis. Marksmanship is a bit costly sport as well so come prepared with cash, for renting eyewear, hearing protection, and firearm and for buying ammunition while intending to visit polygons. Moreover carrying a gun in Turkey is subject to permission and this license can be obtained from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Foreigners are advised however that the process can be a complicated and lengthy one, and permits are not easily obtained.

Bowling and paintball are quite new in Turkey and very popular among youngsters as well as the middle aged.

Almost all 5 star hotels have outdoor swimming pools. Many also have indoor facilities however they are substantially more expensive than the Clubs.

Interest in trekking as well as canoeing has boomed in Turkey in the last 5 years. Paragliding is also an outdoor activity that falls under the category of Extreme Sports. It can be thrilling, fun-filled, and scary all at the same time. Turkey is home to some of the best paragliding in the world and there are several reputable companies with good safety records running professional operations. The previous sayings are also available for scuba-diving and Turkey seas are real paradise for those who love diving. We suggest bikers stick to roads along the sea or coast.

For years Turkey has been considered a country full of sun, sand and turquoise seas. For the most part, winter sports were neglected. This trend is changing, though slowly, and there are now perfect skiing sites and a few ice-skating rinks, though none of the rinks are of Olympic measures.

Aikido, yoga and other martial sport have recently gained in popularity and is practiced in several centers and clubs.

All addresses of clubs, establishments, sites related to those sportive activities and the sport equipment stores are listed in our Yellow Pages.

Latest comments about this article

 By satyricus88  24.1.2008

Hey! Does anyone know anything about somewhere in Istanbul showing the Super Bowl? Would really appreciate the info.

 By MichaelaN  19.1.2007

:)are you able to help me?I´m going to go to Istanbul as erasmus student and I´m looking for a place, a gym where to have dance lessions.Are you able to give me some info? please!help me..

 By Sandrab  26.10.2006

Hi, I am looking for dance classes in Istanbul, oriental but also jazz, and street dance. Thank you

 By keith palmer  17.10.2006

I am interested in fishing, I live in the Gumbet/Bitez area and would love to meet anyone who can advise me as I have only lived here since December. Any advice on methods, baits, where to go, etc would be appreciated. Perhaps some excursions could be arranged?

 By podcolzina  30.5.2006

i would like to know if any ice rings exist in Adana or city´s close to Adana.

 By nickw  28.1.2006

I´m looking to join a men´s basketball team in Istanbul. I´ve played before and I´m keen to keep it up if there are any clubs around.

 By postberger  21.1.2006

I´m looking for a public squash court? Is there one in town or do I have to join a sport´s club?

 By Lieve  26.11.2005

Does anybody know whether there is a possibility of joining to some callenetics courses here in İstanbul ? Thanks

 By hari  7.10.2005

is there a foot ball club for kids over 5 in English or Turkish

 By HJA  26.9.2005

İ´m looking for a ladies basketball team here in Istanbul that would welcome another player. I´ve played before and would love to continue whilst living in Turkey but I don´t know where to start looking. Thanks, J.

 By VoxiBurchenau  19.9.2005

Horseback Riding istanbul My husband is an advanced rider (former horse trainer) and I am a beginner, we are looking for a facility to accomodate the both of us in or directly around Istanbul without a membership commitment, all suggestions welcome. Thanks

 By sultan10  16.8.2005

American Football is also being played in Turkey. Check out www.sultans.boun.edu.tr

 By ap  9.3.2005

Horseback riding can be done in the compound of the German Embassy. I believe there are 4 horses. Membership is required. Alternatively, Catherine from France offers pony and horseback riding in Golbasi. She speaks French, English, Turkish and Spanish. Mobile 0535-565 4234.

 By Elena  22.10.2004

I would like to know if it is avilalble to run horses in Ankara. I would like a course for my daughter 5 years old.

 By ayfi  2.2.2004

I am interested in hunting tours in . Could you please add some info. about hunting trips to sports or hobbies web page. Thank you.

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