ISTANBUL - On Wednesday, the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) hosted the first-ever gathering of representatives of various fan groups as part of the "Fans Against Violence" project.

The project, which is the first Turkish initiative to win the approval of the European Commission, aims to build understanding and tolerance among the fans of different teams. Alongside Turkey, Spain, Lithuania, Croatia, and Bulgaria are partners in the programme.

Representatives of fan groups that support Anadolu Efes, Besiktas, Bursaspor, Fenerabhce, Galatasaray, Karsıyaka, Sakaryaspor, and Trabzonspor participated in the meeting with a total of 18 male and female representatives.

TBF Director of Project, Dr Emir Turam, opened the meeting by thanking the attendees for their participation.

"We've come together today not to make our differences a subject of argument, but rather to make them a source of richness," he said. "You join us here not just as members of our target audience, but as partners in overcoming this challenge."

In her remarks, Project Coordinator Tuvana Denizci Tinaz explained the project in detail to those in attendance, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and not seeing opposing fans as the enemy.

Fan Activities Coordinator Yusuf Yucel addressed areas for cooperation and progress in terms of team support. Topics under discussion included creative campaigns to be implemented in the stands, creating platforms for different stakeholders in basketball to come together, the national and international 3x3 Basketball Festival, and activities to be organised in conjunction with project partner countries Spain, Lithuania, Croatia, and Bulgaria.

Following the presentations all attendees were given the opportunity to share their views and suggestions on the topic fan behavior.

The Fans Against Violence project continues its activities on Saturday with a conference in conjunction with the Istanbul Bar Association's Sports and Sports Law Commission. Speakers will include Turkish national team players Sinan Guler and Saziye Ivegin Uner, attorney and TBF Vice-President Akin Suel, TBF Press Advisor Esat Yilmaer, basketball referee Burat Biricik, Mr Turam, Ms Tinaz.

FIBA