Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has marked the commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day.

In a message shared by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate on X on Monday, Erdogan underscored the historical significance of May 19, marking the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, in 1919.

“We are protecting the homeland and the Republic—sacred legacies entrusted to us by our ancestors—and we are taking steps to advance and elevate the Republic of Türkiye, which will endure forever, in every field,” the Turkish president stated.

Erdogan emphasised that he sees Turkish youth not only as the architects of the future, but also as a driving force of change, saying he “truly” believes that with their energy, determination, and dreams—carrying the legacy of “our civilisation in their hearts”—the Turkish youth will leave a defining mark “on our era as the ‘Century of Türkiye.'”

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Türkiye’s future

In the construction of Türkiye’s future, “we solve and permanently eliminate” any problem that will waste the energy of Turkish youth and the country’s resources with “fruitless discussions,” he said.

“We work with all our might to fulfil our promise to leave our youth a peaceful and serene, high-tech, and prosperous country.”

“We offer opportunities for our youth to discover their potential in every field, from science to art, sports to agriculture, diplomacy to nuclear technologies, and we walk hand in hand and arm in arm with our youth to realise our ideal of a great and powerful Türkiye,” the president noted.

He said that they will continue to support all Turkish youth who work tirelessly to achieve their goals, never give up, and want to further glorify the civilisational heritage they inherited from their forefathers.

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Youth and Sports Day

The Turkish president stated that they will always maintain their determination to work harder and achieve more for the Turkish youth by crediting them for every success of Türkiye, “which has become a central country as it grows stronger and has strengthened its position with the steps we have taken.”

Erdogan also commemorated “all the heroes of our War of Independence, Gazi Mustafa Kemal in particular.”

May 19, 1919, was the day when Ataturk, who was later the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, arrived in the Black Sea city of Samsun from Istanbul to launch the war that four years later transformed the nation into modern Türkiye.

In 1938, Ataturk dedicated May 19 to the youth of the Turkish nation as Youth and Sports Day a national holiday that sees young people take part in sporting and cultural activities with official ceremonies across the country.

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Local organizations serving Akron’s youth can now apply for grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 as part of a city initiative aimed at expanding access to sports and wellness programming. 

The city has committed $100,000 to offset the cost of program fees, training and certifications for coaches, mental health services and safety and equipment to provide more opportunities for young Akronites.

“We know that sports participation is a fantastic tool to address a range of larger challenges including public safety,” Mayor Shammas Malik said in a statement released Wednesday. “Giving our youth an opportunity to work as a team, learn new skills, develop coping strategies, and see the impact of their hard work and determination can help as a springboard to safe, healthy lives.” 

To be eligible, an interested organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that directly serves Akron youth. Applications for the grants must be submitted by Saturday, May 31, at 11:59 p.m. 

Applications can be emailed to Youth Opportunity Strategist Denico Buckley-Knight at dbuckley-knight@akronohio.gov. Paper copies are also available in the lobby at Akron City Hall, 166 S. High St., and can be turned in at the security desk. 

This program is part of Akron’s larger investment in youth development and public safety. As part of that effort, the city is adopting the Aspen Institute’s Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports, an eight-point framework that emphasizes youth access to fun, safe and developmentally appropriate sports activities. 

The bill of rights “focuses on creating a shared community understanding that all youth should have real, meaningful opportunities to develop as people through sports,” Malik said at a press conference earlier this month.  

Malik also said the city plans to partner with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative to get at least 64% of Akron youth participating in sports by the end of 2030. 

“Other cities have seen the benefits of an increased focus on sports including obesity prevention, cancer risk reduction, gender equity, the social inclusion of people with disabilities and so much more,” Buckley-Knight said.

May 19 is celebrated as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

May 19, 1919 marks the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence, a turning point in Turkey’s history.

Ottomans joined World War I on the side of the Germans. Since the Germans lost the war, the Ottomans were also considered on the losing side. The Turkish army was disarmed and dispersed. Turkey was occupied by the wining states. Istanbul was occupied by the British, Adana and the southeastern region by the French, eastern Turkey by the Russians, and Antalya by Italian forces.

Upon the Greek landing in Izmir on May 15, 1919, the hero of Gallipoli war, General Mustafa Kemal decided to leave Istanbul and go to Anatolia and launch an independence campaign. He left Istanbul on a ship on May 16 and landed in Samsun on May 19, 1919.

After a long and harsh struggle, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk drove all the occupying forces out of the country and founded the modern Republic of Turkey on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire that previously lasted for six centuries.

Atatürk was born in 1881, but his birthday was not known. When the officials were preparing a new ID card for Atatürk, they asked him his birthday. Atatürk said “You can write May 19 as my birthday.” In fact, May 19 is not the birthday of Atatürk, but is the birthday of the modern Republic of Turkey.

Atatürk dedicated this day to the Turkish youth, and May 19 has since been celebrated as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. In honor of this day, schools of all levels, as well as military colleges and units, will organize sports and athletic events throughout Turkiye.

By JAN McLAUGHLIN

BG Independent News

The ballplayers, dressed in their crisp clean uniforms, were bundles of energy. This was opening day at the Weston ballpark – and their town was celebrating the beginning of a summer spent watching their kids play ball.

The revival of the Weston youth baseball, softball and T-ball has been led by a group of parents and grandparents committed to resurrecting the program that over the years had lost its spirit.

And on Saturday afternoon, the group hit a home run on opening day.

The festivities began with a parade of the ball teams, starting at the library downtown and traveling through neighborhoods to the ballpark. The young ballplayers cheered and chanted, as townspeople stood on their porches and front yards to celebrate the teams and the beginning of a new season.

A siren from the Wood County Sheriff’s vehicle leading the route announced the arrival of the antsy young players, and a Weston fire truck followed at the rear of the parade.

When the teams arrived at the ballpark, they were greeted by more townspeople ready to watch them do the ceremonial run around the bases, get team photos taken, and devour their first ballpark food of the season.

Jeanettie Zamarripa was one of the Weston residents determined to bring back the summer ball season. She coached her granddaughter’s team last year, and this year found herself as president of the Weston Sports Initiative Association.

“The program just needed to be picked up by people who cared about it,” Zamarripa said. The non-profit organization, run by passionate board members and volunteers, has seven teams this year. They compete against other community teams in the Otsego School District – Grand Rapids, Haskins and Tontogany.

The Village of Weston stepped up on the upkeep of the ballpark, Zamarripa said.

And after opening day Saturday, Zamarripa and others plan to spend much of their summer at the park – cheering from bleachers, coaching in the fields, monitoring kids in the dugouts.

Saturday saw a steady line of fans and families at the concession stand, behind home plate. The big sellers on the first day of the season were typical ballpark foods – hotdogs, popcorn and pretzels. 

Jessica Susor, a concession stand volunteer, said the familiar smells draw in customers.

“Everybody is always waiting for the hot buttered popcorn,” Susor said.

Along the third base line, the Kosicki T-ball team in their bright yellow uniforms, gathered around a picnic table. The players, just 4 to 6 years old, weren’t talking game strategy – they were wandering off to get snow cones, chasing each other, shrieking in delight at visits by the costumed Muddy and Madonna Mudhen and from Freddy and Frieda Falcon.

Their coaches took it all in stride. One parent described coaching a T-ball team like herding cats, but with a smile, coach Ashley Kosicki said it was more like “feral squirrels.”

Kosicki and parent Cheyenne Cheatwood talked about the importance of a summer ball program – even for kids too young to pick up many skills.

“It’s important to keep it alive for the small community,” Cheatwood said. “The kids get really excited.”

With a heavy dose of patience, Kosicki talked about the youngest players developing skills not necessary in the batter’s box or in the outfield.

“The mental health aspect is the most important thing for this age,” she said.

Before the games began, each team took a ceremonial run around the bases. James and Christina Fox sat on the bleachers and watched as their two sons, Colton and Wyatt, joined in the opening day tradition.

James Fox pointed out the more experienced players who faked falls as they came into home.

“They get a little dirt on them for the pictures,” he said, as one player rolled around in the gravel.

The Fox parents are thrilled their sons are outside playing ball, rather than inside playing video games, on their phones or their tablets.

“Our kids are all sports, sports, sports,” James Fox said.

Consequently, the parents will be spending many evenings at the ballpark. This coming week, that means rooting from the bleachers on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. “That’s the schedule this week for us,” the father said.

On the sidelines behind first base, players and coaches were lining up for team photos. The photographer repeated the instructions, “Hands down. Eyes up. Big smiles,” – hoping one of the shots would be good.

Meanwhile, girls with hair ribbons matching their uniforms, sat on the ground, drawing pictures in the gravel. Another player teetered on the edge of the dugout wall. “Dare me to jump down?” she asked a boy.

“No, don’t climb the fences. Get down,” a parent insisted.

A couple of the older players were relishing this day focused on them. Camden Tyree and Jayse Michalski, both 13, said he has been playing ball for nine years.

“Because it’s fun. I like the competition,” Camden said of his dedication to the game. “Yeah,” said Jayse, who was more of the quiet type. “Baseball is good.”

Both boys are versatile on the field. Camden plays shortstop, pitcher and catcher, while Jayse plays those plus second and third base.

Jocelyn Zamarripa, 9, admitted to being “kinda” nervous on Saturday’s opening day. “What positions do I play?” she asked her grandma.

After the singing of the National Anthem and several high-fives for good luck, the magic words rang out, “Play ball.”

The Kosicki T-ball team loaded into one dugout, with the adults trying to keep the youngsters matched with their hats and gloves, and away from the bats. “Stop hitting things with the bat,” one adult said.

“This is part of it – how we act in the dugout matters,” a coach said to the players bubbling over with energy.

Once on the field, many of the lessons were forgotten. One player threw the bat with every swing at the ball. Other players forgot to run to base once they made contact with the ball. And infielders en masse immediately swarmed and smothered any ball hit in their direction.

By the end of the season, the games will most likely look different as the players perfect some skills. But some things won’t change. The fans will still cheer from the bleachers. The concession stand will still crank out buttered popcorn. And the children will remember another summer spent at the ballfield.

Posted by: Jan Larson McLaughlin on May 18, 2025.

The Florida Minority Baseball Alliance is hosting a free baseball clinic for youth ages 5 to 12 years old at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday, June 7 at 8 a.m.

The clinic is part of the Florida Minority Baseball Alliance’s Florida Sunshine Classic, which is a three-day event that promotes minority baseball players and baseball in minority communities. 

The event will be at Jackie Robinson Ball- park from Thursday, June 5 to Saturday, June 7. The clinic is on the third and final day of the three-day event.

The Sunshine Classic Game is at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m.

Kids that attend the clinic can go to the game for free.

Also, during the three-day event there will be a parents’ conference, meet and greet, luncheon, players showcase and a college fair.

For more information, the complete schedule, registration and more, visit https://www.thefmba.org.

SPIRIT OF POLAND — More than 50 young dancers took to the stage at the Sycamore Youth Center May 6 to perform the “Spirit of Poland” folk dance celebration.
— Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Sycamore Youth Center was alive with color, movement and music on the evening of May 6, as more than 50 young dancers took the stage for the highly-anticipated “Spirit of Poland” folk dance celebration.

Hosted by the Sycamore Folk Dancers and led by directors Zac Gordon and Jariel Henthorn, the event drew a packed house of parents, community members and cultural enthusiasts.

The performance began at 7 p.m. and featured traditional Polish folk dancing and singing, showcasing the beauty and vibrancy of Polish culture.

Dressed in festive costumes and dancing with enthusiasm, students brought to life songs and traditions that spanned generations.

“This was truly one of the most moving and joyful events we’ve ever had at the Sycamore Youth Center,” said Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the center and president of the Ohio Valley Youth Network. “To see these young people celebrate faith, culture and community with such heart, was nothing short of inspiring.”

The “Spirit of Poland” event was the culmination of months of dedicated rehearsals under the guidance of Gordon and Henthorn, who have poured their time and passion into mentoring the young performers.

The Sycamore Youth Center continues to be a hub for arts, faith and youth development in the Ohio Valley.

The “Spirit of Poland” was just one example of what can happen when tradition meets passion in the hearts of the next generation.