Young Talent Will be Raised Up in the Arkas Spor Facilities Champions of the 1st Men's Volleyball League for the last two seasons, Arkas Spor has completed the construction of the Arkas Spor Facilities in Karşıyaka, Örnekköy. With the goal of raising the bar a little higher with every victory, Arkas Spor will be instilling the Arkas Spor culture in young talent at the Arkas Spor Facilities, which will contribute to the development of Turkish sports and raising a generation of healthy athletes. Built on a total of 3000 square meters, the complex has two sports salons, one of which has grandstands, and provides all of the technological equipment athletes need for improvement.

Arkas Spor embarked on its journey with the slogan “ It all begins with a dream ” and once again demonstrated the importance that it places on training upcoming athletes and its awareness of social responsibility by opening the Arkas Spor Facilities, which were started in 2006.

The opening ceremony for the Arkas Spor Complex located on 3000 square meters in Karşıyaka – Örnekköy on February 8 th was attended by Izmir Governor, Sayın Cahit Kıraç, the Mayor of Izmir, Aziz Kocaoğlu, Vice Governor, Fahri Aykırı, the Mayor of Karşıyaka Cevat Durak, the President of the Volleyball Federation, Erol Ünal Karabıyık, Chairman of the Arkas Board of Directors, Lucien Arkas, Arkas Spor Vice President, Bernard Arkas, as well as members of the Arkas Spor Board of Directors and other guests.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Arkas Spor Vice President drew attention to the fact that in order to make Izmir a brand name, sporting infrastructure was as important as economics and social life.

“We must instill in Izmir an understanding of sports and success that does not revolve only around football. Izmir could be a volleyball city like Modena in Italy . We should also encourage water sports like swimming and sailing which suit the character of Izmir very nicely. Success has transformed Arkas Spor into a city club with a significant following. The support of the local press has also played an important role. It is the duty of the public and private sector to create conditions which allow our young people to be more involved in sports in order to protect them from bad habits. This is part of social responsibility.”

Almost 700 Young People Are Able To Practice Together
Since 2001, when the club was given its name, Arkas Spor has operated with the understanding that part of its responsibility was to keep young people away from bad habits and direct their energy towards sports. Its identity as a “city club” is due to its many successes and this is now solidified with the new facilities.

Founded with the goal of achieving even greater victories in Turkish Leagues and in Europe , the facility is large enough for almost 700 Arkas Spor young people to practice together. The Arkas Spor Complex also has the technical equipment necessary to conduct conditioning and medical check-ups for players on the A team.

Future Players Are Being Trained in this Facility
In order to contribute to the development of Turkish Sports and raise up exemplary athletes, Arkas Spor has always made training of future athletes a priority and in these facilities it is training over 400 young athletes.

There are also a total of 140 athletes in the 3 rd men's league team, amateur adult women, youth, junior and little league boys and girls teams all striving to move up to the next level in this facility where 200 people take part in volleyball training schools.

The Success of Junior Athletes in 2007
Last year Arkas Spor managed to finish the season in champion style with the Junior B Men's team winning the Turkish Volleyball Champion, the Junior A Men's team placed second in the Volleyball Championship and Arkas Spor moved up to the 3 rd league in the amateur group , demonstrating just how well its junior varsity program is performing.

In the last season, the Arkas Spor Swimming team participated in competitions organized to celebrate the navigational holiday with 48 athletes aged 6-7-8, who won 22 medals in various age groups and styles. Arkas Spor has not only proven that it is a force to be reckoned with in swimming, it has achieved a number of successes in sailing and windsurfing as well.

The 3000 m2 Arkas Spor Complex includes:

Two sports arenas, one of which has grandstands

Yoga and Fitness Salons

Rooms for Referees, Trainers and Doctors

Accommodations and recreation rooms for athletes

Sauna

Jacuzzi

Sports Equipment Sales Office

Physical Therapy Center

Seminar Room

TV/Recreation Room

Cafeteria and dining hall