EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann paid an official visit to Türkiye as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation and advance the sport in the country.
The visit included a tour of the Olympic-standard pitch construction site in Gölbaşı, Ankara, a landmark project aimed at elevating Turkish hockey on the international stage.
The new Olympic hockey pitch, currently under construction, represents a major step forward for Türkiye’s ambitions outdoors. Once completed, the facility will serve as a hub for international tournaments and training camps, complementing Turkey’s current strong position in indoor hockey.
During his visit, Hofmann met with Mustafa Çakır, President of the Turkish Hockey Federation, at the federation’s headquarters.
The two leaders held discussions focused on infrastructure development, technical cooperation, and long-term strategies to make Turkey more competitive in European and global hockey. In recognition of his support, Çakır presented Hofmann with a commemorative plaque.
The agenda also included a meeting with Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Hamza Yerlikaya, underscoring the Turkish government’s commitment to sports development and international partnerships.
Yerlikaya emphasised the importance of the Olympic hockey project as part of Türkiye’s broader vision to host major events and nurture grassroots talent.
Speaking about the visit, Hofmann highlighted Türkiye’s progress and potential: “The construction of this Olympic-standard facility is a significant milestone. It shows dedication to growing hockey and creating opportunities for players at all levels.”
The Turkish Hockey Federation aims to expand the number of outdoor hockey fields nationwide and strengthen youth programs, paving the way for future Olympic participation.
Mustafa Çakır added: “The visit of EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann has been a valuable source of motivation for our federation and the development of hockey in our country. It was a great honour and pleasure for us to host him in Türkiye.
“The inspections we carried out together at our Olympic-standard field currently under construction in Ankara Gölbaşı have further strengthened our shared vision for the future of Turkish hockey. This project represents a strategic step that deepens our cooperation with the European hockey family.
“Mr Hofmann’s confidence in Türkiye’s potential and his interest in our ongoing development initiatives are highly encouraging for us. As the Turkish Hockey Federation, we will continue to invest with determination in all stages of development from grassroots to elite level.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to Mr Hofmann, on behalf of our country, our federation, and myself, for honouring us with this meaningful visit; and I trust that our strong cooperation will continue to grow and lead to new achievements on the European hockey stage.”
