Spectacular opening ceremony for majestic new Volleyball complex in Ankara

News from the National Federations

Ankara, Turkey, February 8, 2010. After the groundbreaking ceremony that was staged last April 8, 2009, the “Başkent” Volleyball Hall was officially opened this past Saturday in Ankara in a magnificent scenario. About 6’000 spectators resumed to the competition hall to attend the official opening ceremony of this brand-new first-class facility. Mr. Faruk Nafiz Özak, Minister of State, Mr. Yunus Akgül, General Director for Sports and Youth, a former Minister of State, Mr. Murat Basesioglu, plus Mr. Mehmet Atalay, EXCOM Coordinator of the International Sport Organization and the Mayor of Çankaya Bülent Tanik joined CEV President André Meyer for this very special occasion.
Dr. Jan Hronek and Mr. Aleksandar Boricic represented there in Ankara the European Volleyball Confederation as well along with some more international officials, such as Mr. Peter Kleinmann, Mr. Antonin Lebl and Mr. Munib Efendic, who are currently heading the National Federations of Austria, Czech Republic and Bosnia & Herzegovina respectively. The Turkish Volleyball Federation was certainly there with President Erol Unal Karabiyik having assembled all Board members along with the directors of the main clubs, some athletes and their families.
After the opening ceremony the audience had the chance to attend a friendly game featuring some legendary players from Europe and Turkey. It was an historical moment for the European and international Volleyball family. CEV President André Meyer acted there as the first referee while Mr. Boricic was sitting on the bench serving as a coach. Dr. Jan Hronek was “appointed” as Supervisor of this very special game. The match eventually ended with the victory of the European stars (25-13). The show then continued with the ‘Shaman Dance Group’ accompanied with some light special effects and later on the Turkish national players came up against a selection of the best foreign players competing in the Turkish league for a so-called “All Star Game". The crowd enjoyed an additional wonderful moment during the opening ceremony with the solo performance of Demet Akalin, Turkey’s most popular pop singer.