EuroHockey met with key figures in the Turkish Hockey Federation and National Olympic Committee in Istanbul this week to discuss opportunities for the sport in the country.

EuroHockey is currently engaged in a two-year Solidarity through Great Governance (SGG) project – supported by Erasmus+ funding – to develop organisational strategies for member national associations, linking to their national Olympic committee and ministry of sport strategic objectives.

To this end, EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann, Director General Angus Kirkland and Head of Strategy and Development Tom Pedersen-Smith were welcomed by Türkiye Hockey President Sadık Karakan, Director of International Relations Gizem Karaali Karadağ and Secretary General Ahmet Onur Albunar.

They were joined by the Turkish National Olympic Committee’s secretary general Neşe Gündoğan.

They spoke about the SGG project while also having a discussion around further Olympic Solidarity programmes. Istanbul’s hosting of the 2027 European Games was also spoken about.

Reflecting on the meeting, EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann said: “It is a key part of our strategic plan to help every EuroHockey member to reach its highest potential.

“Sometimes this translates into material help, sometimes with competition portfolio assistance and sometimes it is through being present and supporting them with their governing bodies like ministry of sport and Olympic committees.

“We gained huge insight from this meeting and we hope our support can help open more doors for hockey in Türkiye.”

Sadık Karakan, President of the Turkish Hockey Federation, expressed his great satisfaction with the EuroHockey’s first overseas meeting being held in Türkiye.

 He stated that he is very happy to have hosted such an organisation. “As in the past, we will continue to work with EuroHockey in the future to develop hockey in our region,” he added.