The free Summer Sports Schools launched by the Department of Youth and Sports Services to help children make productive use of their summer holidays continue to attract strong interest. The programme aims to support children’s physical, mental and social development, promote a culture of sport and identify talented young athletes at an early age, with swimming among the activities offered.

Around 3,000 Children Enrolled

Around 3,000 children have enrolled in the swimming courses. Held four days a week between 8 am and 5 pm, the courses take place at the Seyrantepe Semi-Olympic Swimming Pool in Yenişehir district, with children transported to the facility by municipal shuttle buses.

Children are also provided with swimming caps and goggles during sessions led by qualified instructors. Throughout the day, they receive training in both basic swimming skills and swimming techniques. In addition to learning to swim, the courses give children the opportunity to enjoy sport and socialise with their peers.

Supporting Children’s Development in Multiple Areas

The Summer Sports Schools aim to provide children with a safe, healthy and productive environment during the summer months. The swimming courses are designed to help children overcome their fear of water, acquire basic swimming skills and become comfortable and confident in the water in a safe environment.

The programme also supports children in building physical endurance, developing self-confidence, establishing disciplined sporting habits and learning to work as part of a team. Another aim is to identify children who demonstrate particular talent during the courses and support their development into licensed athletes in the future.

Aim to Develop Young Swimmers into Athletes

Swimming Coach Serhat Yıldırım said that around 3,000 students had enrolled in the programme and that the children receive basic and technical swimming training over a four-week period. Yıldırım explained that their primary aim is to teach children to swim and help them feel more confident and comfortable in the water.

He noted that some children in the city swim in lakes, reservoirs and rivers where swimming is prohibited, increasing the risk of drowning. Yıldırım therefore emphasised the importance of children learning to swim under the supervision of qualified instructors and in safe conditions.

Yıldırım added that the programme goes beyond simply teaching children to swim, explaining that they also aim to develop the abilities of children attending the courses and support those with particular talent in becoming licensed athletes in the future.

‘I Overcame My Fear of Water Thanks to My Instructors’

Thirteen-year-old Zal Armanç Karadeniz, who is taking part in the course, said that he had been afraid of water before beginning swimming lessons.

“Before coming here, I was very afraid of the water. Thanks to the instructors here, I overcame my fear. Now that I am no longer afraid of the water, I can swim wherever I want,” he said.

Karadeniz explained that he had previously been unable to swim but had also attended the course in previous years, where he learnt to swim before obtaining an athlete’s licence and taking part in competitions.

“I have achieved good results in competitions. I would like to thank my instructors,” Karadeniz said.

‘We Would Like an Indoor Pool for the Winter’

Amed Emsen, another participant in the course, said that he had been unable to swim when he first began the programme.

“When I first came here, I didn’t know how to swim. Thanks to the training I received, I learnt how to swim. I now continue to come here so that I don’t lose my swimming skills,” he said.

Emsen said he would like swimming lessons to continue during the winter months, adding: “We would also like our Municipality to provide an indoor pool for the winter.”

Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality will continue its work through the Summer Sports Schools to provide children with a safe, healthy and productive environment during the summer months, encourage sport as part of everyday life and help lay the foundations for developing the athletes of the future.