Various events across Türkiye were held as part of the 19 May Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day, marking the 106th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s arrival in Samsun on 19 May 1919, to launch the War of Independence.

On Monday morning, people across the country gathered to pay tribute to the great leader as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted the importance of empowering young people on this historical day.

Erdogan said Türkiye provides opportunities for youth to discover their potential in every field — from science to art, sports to agriculture, diplomacy to nuclear technologies — and will continue to walk hand in hand, arm in arm with them.

In the capital Ankara, thousands visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the national anthem, followed by a delegation led by Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak, joined by young representatives from across the country.

“You kindled the flame of independence in Samsun 106 years ago; today, that very flame endures across this land as a symbol of unity, serenity and hope,” Bak wrote in the ceremonial ledger.

TRT Global – Türkiye at the centre of global diplomacy: Navigating crises, building trust

As diplomacy falters elsewhere, Türkiye steps in—hosting this week’s key talks on Ukraine, NATO, and Iran, and emerging as a bridge in a divided world.

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Shaping the country’s future

On May 16, 1919, Ataturk departed from Istanbul aboard the Bandirma ferry. Three days later, on May 19, he arrived at Dil (Reji) Pier in Samsun—a date now widely viewed as the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence. 

At the time, he was appointed Inspector General of the Ottoman Armies by the Ottoman government, which was under pressure from Allied occupation forces in Istanbul.

Instead of adhering to the official mandate, Ataturk launched a national movement to end foreign occupation and reshape the future of Anatolia.

This led to a four-year war that ultimately concluded with the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923. 

In 1938, Ataturk designated May 19 as Youth and Sports Day, highlighting the significance of young people’s role in shaping the country’s future.

Today, commemorations across the country reflect that emphasis. 

In Samsun, Türkiye’s naval warship TCG Anadolu arrived carrying 81 youth representatives from each province and military academy cadets, symbolically retracing the original journey.

The Bandırma Ferry Museum, featuring a replica of the original vessel and a clock frozen at 8:00 a.m. to mark Ataturk’s landing time, drew a large number of visitors.

In Cappadocia, hot air balloons with Turkish flags and Ataturk images were launched. 

In Tekirdag, motorcyclists took part in a commemorative ride. Divers in coastal cities such as Ordu and Antalya carried flags underwater to mark the occasion.

“We work with all our might to fulfil our promise to leave our youth a peaceful and serene, high-tech, and prosperous country,” President Erdogan said, adding that the government would continue to support youth who strive to achieve their goals and elevate Türkiye’s civilizational heritage.

TRT Global – Turkish President Erdogan marks Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day

‘We are protecting homeland, Republic and we are taking steps to advance, elevate Republic of Türkiye, which will endure forever, in every field,’ says Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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The Vail Recreation District recently issued the following press release on the upcoming youth mountain bike race series:

Youth bikers, it’s your time to ride and shine! Join us for the Vail Recreation District’s Minturn Mini race on Wed, May 21 in the Town of Minturn. This kids-only race is open to ages five to 17. The Minturn Mini kicks off the 2025 Bloch Ongert Mountain Bike Race Series. Sign up now at www.register.vailrec.com to ensure you’re ready for race day!

The race will take place on the Minturn Mini Mile circuit, with racers cycling clockwise. The distances vary from one to six miles, depending on the category. All categories will start and finish on Cemetery Road in front of the cemetery. The beginner loop, for younger categories, follows the traditional Mini Mile course and is exactly one mile.

The regular loop, designed for the older categories, covers the Mini Mile course with an additional stretch through the Minturn Bike Park. This loop is 1.4 miles long.

After the race, stay for the awards, raffles and prizes at the finish line!

All racers are encouraged to preregister, but day-of registration is available. On-site bib pickup starts at 3:45 p.m., with races beginning at 4:45 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. depending on the racer category.

Parking will be available at the Little Beach Amphitheater in the Town of Minturn as directed by the event staff. 

The presenting sponsors of the Minturn Mini are Yeti’s Grind and the Town of Minturn.

Individual races for youth are $15 preregistered and $21 day-of registration; the series cost for youth is $92. Registration is available online at vailrec.com/register and preregistration for individual races ends at 5 p.m. one day prior to each race day.

Please note that the VRD is transitioning to a new registration system, located at www.register.vailrec.com. You will need to create a new account in the new system, but it should be quick and easy to do so. If you have any questions about registration, please contact sports@vailrec.com.

All youth riders are welcome and racers do not need to be registered in the full series to participate in this race!

The 2025 Bloch Ongert Mountain Bike Race Series will continue on May 28, when all-ages racing kicks off with the Eagle Ranch Classic in Eagle. We then head to Vail for the Davos Dash on June 18, followed by the adults-only Son of Middle Creek Enduro on June 25. The race on July 9 takes us to Edwards for the Berry Creek Bash, followed by the Beaver Creek Blast on July 23. On Aug. 13, we head towards Red Cliff for the Camp Hale HUP. The race series wraps up on Aug. 27 with the Vail Grind on Vail Mountain!

For questions, contact the VRD Sports Department at sports@vailrec.com or call 970-479-2280. Visit www.vailrec.com for details on races and all other VRD programs.

The VRD’s 2025 Mountain Bike Race Series is yours thanks to title sponsor Bloch Ongert LLC. The Youth Series is brought to you by presenting sponsor Yeti’s Grind. Thanks to our additional sponsors Vail Daily, Town of Minturn, Beaver Creek, The Steadman Clinic, Skratch Labs, Jaunt Media Collective, Gravity Haus/Dryland Fitness, Central Rockies Mortgage, Elevated Dental, Vail Honeywagon, Altitude Bar & Grill, FirstBank, Optic Nerve, Outdoor Tech, Haymeadow and Vail Coffee.

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo County board will be asked Tuesday to create a search committee for the new $40 million youth indoor sports complex.

There is already a list of nominees for that panel.

Hotel owners have approved the funding mechanism to build the complex, which will provide facilities for tournaments on the weekend, and for local use the rest of the week.

Discover Kalamazoo Director Jane Ghosh says the ad hoc committee’s only function will be to pick the site for the facility.

“We’re seeking expertise in areas such as hoteliers, we’re looking for sports experience, tourism experience, project development experience, finance.”

They can then set up the authority which will manage the operation once the site has been identified by the committee.

“That would then become the basis for the authority board once the authority is established,” Ghosh says.

One of the 3 proposed sites is next to the Air Zoo in Portage. The other two remain a mystery, but nominations for representatives from the cities of Portage, Kalamazoo and Texas Township suggest the three locations could be within those jurisdictions.

The list of nominees includes representatives from the hotel industry, Local youth sports operations, the Hinman Company, two executives at S.W. Michigan First, Ghosh, two county commissioners and the three municipal representatives.

They are: Jill Bland, Annemarie Boarman, Jane Ghosh, Rich MacDonald, Devshya Patel, Brian Persky Page, Corey Person, Fred Rahme, Commissioner Monteze O. Morales, Commissioner Abigail Wheeler, Kalamazoo Vice Mayor Jeanne Hess, Portage City Manager Pat McGinnis, and a representative from Texas Township yet to be determined.

Ghosh says their studies show that no matter where they put it, all local hotels and restaurants should benefit from the additional visitors.

LAKE PLACID — USA Luge recently announced the Junior National Team who will be representing the organization during the Junior World Championships, Junior World Cup and Youth Continental Cup for the 2025-2026 racing season.

Logan Barnes and Orson Colby will lead the Junior men’s singles. Barnes, of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, ranked 19th overall in the Junior World Cup standings in singles competition. Colby, of Riverton, Utah, finished the season 45th overall.

Leading the Junior women’s singles are Elizabeth Kleinheinz and Talia Tonn. Kleinheinz, of Santa Clara, California, won the 2025 Norton Junior National Championships, while Tonn, of Cecil, Wisconsin, earned her second consecutive Youth A title at the 2025 Norton Youth A National Championships in Park City, Utah. She placed 25th in the overall Junior World Cup standings last season, with Kleinheinz finishing 29th overall.

Olympian Sadie Martin will join Brianna Gosnell in women’s doubles. The duo were the 2025 Norton Junior National Championships silver medalists. Gosnell, of Evansburg, Pennsylvania, will now focus on women’s doubles with Martin, of Vermontville.

In men’s doubles, Youth Olympians Nathan Bivins of Castleton and Wolfgang Lux of Swanton, Vermont are returning following a successful season that culminated with their first Norton Junior National Championships gold medal. Gavin Davis of Berwick, Pennsylvania is also racing in men’s doubles and will be paired with a partner in the coming weeks.

Members of the JNT “C” Team Junior Class and Youth Class were also announced, as well as the JNT “B” Youth Class. The members of those teams are as follows:

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Junior National “C” Team (Junior Class)

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Seth Coates (Potsdam)

Maggie Richardson (Mt. Vernon, Ohio)

Gabe Desautels (Georgia, Washington)

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Youth National Team (Youth A Class)

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Josh Berzowski (Pulaski, Wisconsin)

Chris Brand (Downers Grove, Illinois)

Warren Briggs (Madrid)

Brady Cowden (Collingswood, New Jersey)

Ian Cowden (Collingswood, New Jersey)

Caleb Dusek (New London, Wisconsin)

Riley Dombard (Downers Grove, Illinois)

Michael Montegari (Remsen)

Quattro McDonald (Park City, Utah)

Andrew Robertson (South Jordan, Utah)

Sinatra Robles (Castleton, Vermont)

Chase Somers (Saginaw, Michigan)

Ben Wingfield (Park City, Utah)

Kendall Achen (Manheim, Pennsylvania)

Zola Andonopoulos (Westmont, Illinois)

Lillian Arnold (Billerica, Massachusetts)

Breckan Luedke (Menasha, Wisconsin)

Alexis Mason (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

Sophia Sorensen (South Jordan, Utah)

Elin Weaver (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Brynley Wilson (Stansbury, Utah)

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Youth National Team (Youth B Class)

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Hawker Craig (Heber City, Utah)

Issac Miller (Midway, Utah)

Liam Perl (Orem, Utah)

Gavin Theisen (Salt Lake City, Utah)

James Quady (Salem, Oregon)

Axton Zahniser (Park City, Utah)

Greta Hayes (Park City, Utah)

Addilyn Holm (Stansbury Park, Utah)

Miriel Schomaker (Park City, Utah)

Bryce Bajus (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania)

Jackson Gastio (Glens Falls)

Mateo Guevara-Derber (Brillion, Wisconsin)

Sam Harper (Upper Arlington, Ohio)

Samuel Hazell (Medway, Massachusetts)

Brennan Marek (Chesapeake, Virginia)

Bryson Palisoc (Lisle, Illinois)

Grant Paulson (Columbus, Ohio)

Hamilton Perry (Rome)

Colin Petersen (Columbus, Ohio)

Bentley Pond (Shrewsbury, Massachusetts)

Andrew Portuese (Queensbury)

William Roberts (Holliston, Massachusetts)

Jonathan Sigg (Columbus, Ohio)

Spencer Tucker-Jones (Bel-Air, Maryland)

Timothy Warren (Hinsdale, Illinois)

Maxim Zayonc (Lake Placid)

Elise Anderson (Dublin, Ohio)

Reagan Attianese (Selden)

Fern Battin (Peru)

Violet Clancy (Malvern, Pennsylvania)

Brynn Davison (Holliston, Massachusetts)

Sophia Etheridge (Westerville, Ohio)

Stephanie Hoylman (Columbus, Ohio)

Kaitlynn Mauck (Carroll, Ohio)

Claire Paffel (Menasha, Wisconsin)

Audrey Payton (Waban, Massachusetts)

Olivia Perry (Rome)

Delilah Salgado (Ashland, Massachusetts)

Sarah Stefanides (West Chester, Pennsylvania)

Tatum Tonn (Cecil, Wisconsin)

Estelle Walden (Lake Placid)

Haddie Waterhouse (Richford, Vermont)

ABU DHABI, UAE, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Drawing on deep insights into digital-era consumption trends, JETOUR, a leading brand in “Travel+” auto market has partnered with PUBG MOBILE, a global powerhouse in mobile gaming, as the official auto partner for the PUBG MOBILE INFLUENCER AWARDS GALA in UAE. This collaboration leverages the strengths of both brands through “Travel + e-sports,” amplifying their influence among younger audiences.

Cultural Synergy in the Middle East: A High-Profile Co-brand

PUBG MOBILE, a global phenomenon with over 1 billion downloads. It ranks No.1 in Saudi Arabia’s mobile gaming revenue and securing top positions on UAE iOS and Android platforms. Its immersive gameplay and social connectivity have made it integral to youth culture, shaping identity and community in Middle East region.

Based on “Travel+” strategy, JETOUR as the fast-rising global auto brand, has shattered industry records in 2024, achieving a remarkable 560,000 units in annual sales, marking an extraordinary 80.3% year-on-year growth. The cumulative global sales have reached 1.72 million vehicles within 6 years. In the first quarter of 2025, JETOUR achieved impressive results in the Middle East market, ranking 4th in overall SUV sales and 1st in Chinese brand SUV sales. Today, it has become the ideal companion for youth and is redefining the “Travel+” lifestyle.

As industry leaders, JETOUR and PUBG MOBILE both drive innovation while connecting with trend-conscious consumers. Their shared brand values and focus on target customer create a powerful cultural impact, particularly resonating with Gen Z and Millennial audiences through this powerful collaboration.

Multi Engagement: Where Travel Meets E-sports

As the top sponsor of the PUBG MOBILE INFLUENCER AWARDS GALA, JETOUR achieved high exposure during the event while providing VIP Shuttles. Its vehicles, known for premium design, comfort, and performance, offered an excellent experience to gaming elites and industry leaders.

This partnership leverages the “Travel + e-sports” concept to reach a broader audience, generating strong promotional momentum while building deeper brand connections with the lifestyles of Generation Z and Millennials. Starting with this collaboration, JETOUR and PUBG MOBILE will co-host regional roadshows in the Middle East, co-create the PUBG MOBILE x JETOUR Exclusive Vehicle Skin, and offer brand experiences to local users.

Through sustained co-branding campaigns and experiential marketing, JETOUR aims to solidify its regional leadership while injecting e-sports energy into the “Travel+“, pioneering youth lifestyle trends across the Middle East.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/game-changing-partnership-jetour-x-pubg-mobile-redefine-youth-lifestyle-trends-in-middle-east-302458692.html

SOURCE Jetour