Protocol for Support and Cooperation in Turkish Sports

On 21 August 2025, a protocol signed between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Turkish Airlines represented a significant step toward strengthening the logistical infrastructure of sports in Türkiye. Entitled “Support and Cooperation for Turkish Sports,” this agreement aims to reduce the financial burden on federations and facilitate athletes’ access to national and international competitions through its transportation-focused structure. The protocol is not based solely on sponsorship but is built on a direct structural support model.

Support and Cooperation for Turkish Sports Protocol (AA)

Objective and Scope of the Protocol

The primary goal of this cooperation is to support the institutional development of Turkish sports by alleviating the economic and logistical burden of transportation. The plan is to enhance the efficiency of athletes’ access to domestic and international competitions through Turkish Airlines. In this context, the share of transportation expenses in federation budgets has been reduced, opening the way for resources to be redirected toward areas such as athlete development.

The protocol is structured not merely as a sponsorship agreement but as a corporate cooperation. The support provided by Turkish Airlines is channeled to federations through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, adopting a centralized planning model. This enables more effective use of budgets and grants all federations under the ministry direct access to collaborate with Turkish Airlines within this framework.

Support and Cooperation for Turkish Sports Protocol (AA)

Ceremony and Participants

The signing ceremony was held at the VIP Lounge of Turkish Airlines’ General Headquarters in Istanbul. Attendees included Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, and presidents and executives of various sports federations. In his speech at the ceremony, Minister Bak emphasized that Türkiye has made progress toward becoming a sports nation through sports investments and highlighted the individual and institutional contributions of Turkish Airlines to national athletes.

Turkish Airlines’ Strategic Sports Policy

Since the 2000s, Turkish Airlines has provided more than 200 million dollars in support to Turkish sports through sponsorship and transportation partnerships with various federations. As of 2025, the company maintains active cooperation with 17 federations, transporting athletes to competitions around the world and supporting the global representation of Turkish sports. In a statement by Ahmet Bolat, it was noted that this support is pursued not only as a corporate initiative but also as a strategic approach.

With the new protocol, Turkish Airlines’ support is now directed directly to the Ministry of Youth and Sports rather than individual federations, enabling centralized planning of the entire process. Bolat described this structure as “corporate companionship along the athletes’ journey to success.”

Support and Cooperation for Turkish Sports Protocol (AA)

Ministry Vision and Sports Infrastructure

Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak emphasized that transportation expenses have traditionally occupied a significant portion of federation budgets and underscored that the partnership with Turkish Airlines will alleviate this burden. He also noted that substantial investments have been made in Türkiye’s sports infrastructure in recent years, highlighting the contribution of new facilities including swimming pools, indoor arenas, and Olympic centers.

The fact that Türkiye will co-host the 2032 European Football Championship with Italy and that finals of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League have been awarded to Türkiye illustrate the country’s growing capacity to host international sporting events. The logistical strength enabled by Turkish Airlines’ transportation support has played a key role in these achievements.

Support and Cooperation for Turkish Sports Protocol (AA)

Long-Term Impacts and Strategic Goals

The agreement marks a new phase in public-private sector cooperation for Turkish sports. The aim is to establish a more systematic planning framework for athletes’ international representation, supported by Turkish Airlines. Under this framework, transportation planning by federations is centrally coordinated to optimize cost-benefit ratios.

Furthermore, the protocol aims to contribute to enhancing Türkiye’s international competitiveness in sports, expanding opportunities for young athletes, and establishing Türkiye as a hub for sports tourism.