Turgay Demirel

Last updated
Şebnem Demirel
​
(m. 1985)​
Turgay Demirel
4th President of FIBA Europe
Assumed office
17 May 2014
Alma mater Middle East Technical University
Basketball career
Career information
NBA draft 1979: undrafted
Playing career1975–1988
Position Shooting guard
Career history
1975–1978 Galatasaray
1979–1983Yenisehir Istanbul
1984–1988Galatasaray
Career highlights and awards

Turgay Demirel (born 2 May 1957) is a Turkish basketball executive and former basketball player, who is the president of FIBA Europe, a vice-president of FIBA and the former president of the Turkish Basketball Federation. [1]

Contents

Early years

Demirel was born in Istanbul in 1957. He graduated from the German High School in Istanbul and studied engineering at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara. [2]

He became interested in basketball as a teenager with the support of his uncle, former national team player and Galatasaray President Prof. Dr. Ali Uras. Demirel first honed his skills on the court behind Uras's apartment. "My basketball story started with that hoop and after that I continued playing with my friends in Florya," Demirel has said. [3]

Professional career

His professional basketball career spanned 13 years, most of which he spent with Istanbul-based club Galatasaray. He retired as Galatasaray team captain in 1988 after having won two national championships. He also represented Turkey in international competition 41 times. [2]

During his playing career Demirel also took his first steps towards a successful business career, which included representing international companies such as Mikasa and Reebok in Turkey. [2]

Basketball executive career

President of Turkish Basketball Federation

In 1992 he became the first elected President of the Turkish Basketball Federation. He has been re-elected six times, most recently in September 2012. [4] He is also the Founder and President of the Foundation for Development and Education of Turkish Basketball.

Turkish basketball has undergone a dramatic transformation under Demirel's leadership. In 1992 the Turkish Basketball Federation consisted of a three-person staff with a $600,000 annual budget. [5] In 2012, the Turkish Basketball Federation had an annual budget of $70–75 million. [6] Basketball is the country's second-most popular sport, and Turkey has become a force in both international men's and women's basketball. [7] The Turkish men's national team won silver at the men's EuroBasket 2001 and finished sixth in the 2006 World Championship. It won silver at the 2010 World Championship, losing in the finals to the United States in the largest sporting event ever hosted on Turkish soil. [8] FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann described it as "the most successful FIBA World Championship ever." [9] Demirel has been the recipient of many honours over the course of his career in recognition of his service to Turkish basketball. Following Turkey's success in the World Championship, Demirel was named Sportsman of the Year by the Sedat Simavi Journalists’ Association, Okan University, [10] and Milliyet Newspaper, [11] among others. Women's basketball in Turkey, which did not have a national team from 1968–1988, has also seen impressive growth and development under Demirel's watch. [12] In 2005 the Turkish women's national team made its first appearance in the EuroBasket finals, hosted in Turkey, and have qualified for every EuroBasket since. In 2011 it won the silver medal at EuroBasket. The team made its Olympic debut in the 2012 London games and finished fifth. In 2013 it won the bronze medal at EuroBasket. Turkey has also achieved impressive success at the youth level. Most recently in 2013, the U18 men's team won the European Championship and the U20 women's team won bronze at the European Championship. [13] [14] In 2012 Turkey's U16 men's team won the European Championship, and the U20 women's team won bronze at the European Championship. [15]

Additionally, Turkey has become a prominent host for international basketball competitions. The Turkish Basketball Federation has hosted or been awarded the right to host all major international basketball competitions including the 2010 FIBA Men's World Championship, the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women, the 2012 Euroleague Women's Final 8, the 2012 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final 4, the 2005 Women's EuroBasket, and the 2001 Men's EuroBasket. With the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women, Turkey will become the first country to host every major FIBA men's and women's global and continental tournament. As part of the Turkish Basketball Federation's focus on developing the next generation of stars, Turkey often hosts international youth championships, including the 2013 U20 European Women's Championship and the 2006 U20 European Men's Championship. In 2012 the Turkish Basketball Federation launched a new strategic plan "Project Powerhouse" which was described by FIBA as an "impressive and dynamic strategy" that has "left nobody in any doubts as to where they [TBF] are heading in the next few years." [16]

Demirel also has been active in the governance of European and international basketball. He is a member of the FIBA Finance Commission (2002—2014). He has served as a Vice President of FIBA Europe (2006—2010), a member of the Executive Committee (2006–2010), a board member of FIBA Europe (1994–2002 and 2006–2010), and a member of FIBA Europe's Finance Commission (1994–1998). He has served as a member of the Finance Commission (2002–2010), President of the Finance Commission (1998–2002), and a Member of the Marketing Group (1998–2002) at FIBA.

FIBA Europe Presidency

On 17 May 2014 at the FIBA Europe General Assembly, Demirel was elected President of FIBA Europe by a vote of 40–8. With his election victory he became the first Turk to lead the organization. His term runs through 2018. "My aim is to help make basketball the fastest growing sport in Europe, through support of all 51 member federations, strong club competitions and the development of a new generation of stars," Demirel said in his pre-election presentation. "A strong FIBA Europe should help all federations develop young talent as this is the cornerstone for the advancement of our sport." [17]

Personal life

Demirel and his wife Şebnem have one son and one daughter. He speaks English and German in addition to his native Turkish. [2]

Related Research Articles

Among all sportin Turkey, the most popular one is football. Turkey's top teams include Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray and Beşiktaş. In 2000, Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup. Two years later, the Turkish national team finished third in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea, while in 2008, the national team reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Euro 2008 competition. The Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul hosted the 2005 and 2023 UEFA Champions League Final, while the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul hosted the 2009 UEFA Cup Final. Turkey will host the UEFA Euro 2032 along with Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turkey men's national basketball team</span> Mens national basketball team representing Turkey

The Turkey men's national basketball team represents Turkey in international basketball tournaments. They are governed by the Turkish Basketball Federation. Their nickname is the 12 Dev Adam, meaning 12 Giant Men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinan Erdem Dome</span>

The Sinan Erdem Dome, formerly known as the Ataköy Dome, is a multi-purpose indoor arena that is located in Ataköy, Bakırköy, Istanbul on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FIBA Europe</span> European basketball association

FIBA Europe is the administrative body for basketball in Europe, within the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which includes all 50 national European basketball federations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdi İpekçi Arena</span>

Abdi İpekçi Arena, formerly known as Abdi İpekçi Sports Complex, was a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul, Turkey, situated just outside the ancient city walls, in Yedikule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jorge Garbajosa</span> Spanish basketball player

Jorge Garbajosa Chaparro is a Spanish former professional basketball player, the outgoing president of the Spanish Basketball Federation, and the current President of FIBA Europe. Standing at 2.07 m, he played both power forward and small forward. He was an All-EuroLeague first team selection in 2003, and an All-EuroLeague second team selection in 2006, while playing for Unicaja. During his stint in the NBA, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2007. A serious injury the following season cut his NBA career short, and he never truly recovered until his retirement.

The Lithuania women's national basketball team represents Lithuania in international women's basketball competitions. They are regulated by the Lithuanian Basketball Federation, the governing body for basketball in Lithuania.

İsmail Hakan Demirel is a Turkish former professional basketball player. He is 1.91 m tall and played the point guard position.

Hakkı Harun Erdenay is a Turkish former professional basketball player, and former President of the Turkish Basketball Federation. As a player, he was famous for his spectacular 3-point shooting. At a height of 1.90 m (6'2¾") tall, he played in shooting guard and small forward positions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galatasaray S.K. (men's basketball)</span> Basketball team in Istanbul, Turkey

Galatasaray S.K., is a professional basketball team based in the city of Istanbul in Turkey. It is a part of the Galatasaray Sports Club. The team competes in the Turkish Basketball Super League and Basketball Champions League. The team has won 16 Turkish championships. The team furthermore won 3 Turkish Cups, 2 Turkish Super Cups, and 1 EuroCup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dejan Tomašević</span> Serbian basketball player and executive

Dejan Tomašević is a Serbian professional basketball executive and former player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinan Güler</span> Turkish basketball player

Sinan Güler is a former Turkish professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galatasaray S.K. (women's basketball)</span> Turkish basketball team

Galatasaray is the professional women's basketball section of Galatasaray S.K., a major sports club in Istanbul, Turkey. Galatasaray women's basketball team play matches in Ahmet Cömert Sport Hall which has a seating capacity for 2,200 spectators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Işıl Alben</span> Turkish basketball player

Işıl Alben is a Turkish professional basketball player for Galatasaray, who is often considered to be among the top Turkish female athletes. She was the captain of the first Turkish team that won the EuroLeague title in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Göksenin Köksal</span>

Hüseyin Göksenin Köksal is a Turkish professional basketball player and the team captain for Galatasaray Ekmas of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He is a 1.95 m (6'4¾") tall swingman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EuroBasket Women 2015</span> 2015 eidtion of the EuroBasket Women

The 2015 European Women Basketball Championship, commonly called EuroBasket Women 2015, was the 35th edition of the continental tournament in women's basketball, sanctioned by the FIBA Europe. The tournament was co-held in Hungary, which hosted the championship for the fifth time after 1950, 1964, 1983 and 1997, and Romania which hosted it for the second time after 1966, on 11–28 June 2015. The event was hosted by more than one country for the first time.

Barbaros Akkaş is the Turkish Basketball Federation National Teams Director of Sport. Barbaros Akkaş, who is married to Dilara Akkaş, has been managing Turkish National Basketball Teams since 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pietro Aradori</span> Italian basketball player

Pietro Aradori is an Italian professional basketball player for Fortitudo Bologna of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). Standing at 1.98 m, he plays at the shooting guard and small forward positions.

Sports broadcasting contracts in Greece include:

Jacky Chazalon is a retired French FIBA basketball player. Chazalon played for the France women's national basketball team from 1963 to 1976 and won silver at the EuroBasket Women 1970 Championship. During her time in FIBA, she played in the 1971 FIBA World Championship for Women and the 1976 Pre-Olympic Basketball Tournament for Women. Chazalon was named France's Women Basketball Player of the Century in 2000. She was awarded the Glory of Sport in 2003 and inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007.

References

  1. ↑ "Demirel Elected FIBA Europe President | FIBA Europe".
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cemal A. Kalyoncu, “Zoraki Başkan,” Aksiyon, 27 February 1999
  3. ↑ “Demirel: 1992’de üç kişi vardı,” Eurosport.com.
  4. ↑ Ali Can Yaycılı, "Turgay Demirel, 6. kez TBF Başkanı seçildi," Hürriyet, 18 September 2012. Bülent Karadaş, "Basketbolun patron yine Turgay Demirel," Zaman, 19 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Demirel: 1992'de üç kişi vardı," Eurosport.com.
  6. ↑ Vahap Munyar, "Şirketler Basketbola yılda 100 milyon dolar harcıyor,” Hürriyet, 16 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Demirel maintains post as basketball’s top chief," Hürriyet Daily News, 19 September 2012. Demirel: 1992’de üç kişi vardı,” Eurosport.com.
  8. ↑ "Bir Uçuş Hikayesi," Skylife, October 2010. "Kevin Durant scores 28 as USA beasts Turkey in gold-medal game,” ESPN.com.
  9. ↑ "FIBA.basketball". Archived from the original on December 4, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Turgay Demirel'e 'Yılın Spor Adamı Ödülü," Türkiye Basketbol Federasyonu, 2 October 2011.
  11. ↑ "Turgay Demirel'e "Yılın Spor Adamı" Ödülü," Türkiye Basketbol Federasyonu, 3 August 2011.
  12. ↑ "Demirel: 1992'de üç kişi vardı," Eurosport.com.
  13. ↑ [ dead link ]
  14. ↑ "Turkey - Belarus | U20 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN - DIVISION A". Archived from the original on 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  15. ↑ http://u16men.fibaeurope.com/en/cid_z8jOMILgHCsbXTL1wG4sq0.pageID_8KQhNM0eHvEppki2SOpcS0.compID_YUjW-7-FJ,kK9s431Lyr41.season_2013.html, http://u20women.fibaeurope.com/en/cid_FtjjjX0gGxw6o2JYq5YD90.pageID_sfXKIPh,GfI52P70EWhlN1.compID_FBoLIZ9eGMw1MS4DX8h1D2.season_2012.html
  16. ↑ "TUR - Turkish momentum shows no sign of slowing down | FIBA.COM". Archived from the original on 2012-04-08.
  17. ↑ "Demirel Elected FIBA Europe President | FIBA Europe".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.