Discussions of the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and its affiliated organizations, the 2025 final account and the Court of Accounts reports were completed at the GNAT Plan and Budget Commission, which convened under the chairmanship of AKP Samsun Deputy Mehmet Muş. Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak answered the questions of the MPs after their evaluations.
Regarding the request of former national athletes to watch football matches for free, Bak stated that there is a regulation on this issue in the current regulation, but they will update it. Stating that there were some problems in practice because the stadiums were operated by the clubs, Bak said that they planned to meet with the relevant clubs and place the request in the system.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR US TO ACCEPT THE SPORTS EMBARGO IN TRNC"
Stating that there are attempts to prevent young people from doing sports in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Bak said that the Barcelona team's arrival to the island to camp was "prevented by the initiatives of the Greek and Greek lobbies." Bak stated that they organized a tournament in TRNC with 15 teams.
Stating that they are working for the TRNC's participation in international sports organizations, Bak said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has become a member of the Balkan Table Tennis Association and has joined an Olympic association for the first time. Touching on the sports cooperation between Turkish States, Bak noted that the 4th Turkish States University Games will be held in Bayburt and Erzurum this year.
"WE INCREASED THE DOMESTIC CAPACITY TO 1 MILLION"
Responding to criticism regarding the capacity of KYK dormitories, Bak stated that they increased the dormitory capacity to 1 million. Stating that dormitory investments are continuing, Bak said that 29 dormitories will be completed through construction and rental by the end of 2026, and their total capacity will be 31 thousand.
Stating that the 21 dormitories under construction will provide a capacity of 25 thousand people, Bak noted that there are approximately 32 dormitories in the tender phase and that with their completion, a capacity of 34 thousand more people will be created.
Stating that 96 percent of dormitory applications have been met, Bak said that students are accommodated for monthly fees ranging from 1,300 to 1,450 liras, and breakfast and dinner are provided free of charge. Providing information about the inspections in the dormitories, Bak stated that cameras were installed in the kitchens and that students were included in the inspection processes and management through student representatives.
Stating that the construction of a dormitory for 1,000 people in Adana Sarıçam and 2,500 people in Ankara Beştepe is continuing, Bak said that the dormitory for 2,667 people in Antalya Konyaaltı has reached the 82 percent level, and dormitory construction continues in Finike. He added that there is a new dormitory investment in Tekirdağ, and youth centers provide services in Çorlu, Ergene, Malkara and other districts.
200 MILLION LIRA SUPPORT TO NGOS AND CLUBS TO FIGHT ADDICTION
Responding to criticism about the budget allocated for the fight against addiction, Bak said, "Only in the 'Step by Step Hand in Hand' program, we made a call for 200 million lira for NGOs and clubs. We tell them: You fight, we will support you. Let's do it together with you."
Stating that keeping young people away from addiction and bad habits is among their primary duties, Bak said that one of the ways to achieve this is sports and the other is art. Explaining that the Ministry of Youth and Sports organizes theater competitions and artistic events, Bak stated that they made the final in Aspendos with the participation of 11 thousand children and invited the members of parliament to next year's event.
"WE ARE HIRING 150 PSYCHOLOGISTS, 300 SOCIAL WORKERS"
Responding to criticism regarding psychosocial support services, Bak said that there are 450 psychologists within the ministry and that interviews are ongoing to recruit 150 psychologists and 300 social workers. Stating that they are working to increase psychological support services, Bak said, "They did not exist 4-5 years ago. We are increasing them even more."
Bak stated that studies are being carried out under the chairmanship of the Vice President within the scope of the action plan published in 2025 regarding the fight against illegal betting, and stated that people under the age of 18 cannot play in the Spor Toto system.
T.R. in the system Bak said that identification number and IBAN number registered in one's name are mandatory, and noted that students living in dormitories are also trained not to share their bank account information and personal information with others.
HE SAID THAT SCHOLARSHIPS WILL INCREASE
Making evaluations regarding student scholarships and loans, Bak said that the scholarship amount, which is 4 thousand liras, will be increased in the 2026-2027 period. Bak stated that approximately 650 thousand students were given unrequited scholarships and loans were provided to 800-850 thousand students, and reminded that approximately 22 billion lira of student loan debt will be erased in 2022.
Bak stated that loan repayments start after the student completes his education and that payment is not requested for two years until he gets a job after graduation, and that the collection procedures are carried out by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.
Bak said, "There is no problem. We are making a budget. Don't worry. We will handle it by shifting within the budget."
OVER 1.5 BILLION LIRA SUPPORT FOR AMATEUR SPORTS CLUBS
Explaining the support for amateur sports clubs, Bak stated that more than 1.5 billion liras of support was provided to the clubs in this year's budget and that new supports will be provided at the end of November or the beginning of January. Bak said that amateur sports clubs play an important role in directing children to sports, and described the club managers and coaches as "heroes".
Referring to investments in school sports, Bak said that they increased the number of school sports clubs in Istanbul to 3 thousand and that 850 thousand students are actively doing sports. Stating that they are working together with the Ministry of National Education to spread young people to the grassroots of sports, Bak noted that international successes have been achieved in branches such as archery, shooting and gymnastics.
Evaluating the criticisms regarding the results in wrestling, Bak said that there is a generation change in this branch and that new athletes should be trained from the infrastructure. Bak said, "We are trying to renew and educate. Of course, it is not easy. The generation has changed, this is not easy."
"WE AIM TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR 3 MILLION YOUTH"
Referring to the studies on youth employment, Bak said that within the scope of the project carried out under the leadership of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, it is aimed to provide employment to 3 million young people in the next 2.5-3 years.
Accepting that young people need more job opportunities, Bak stated that young engineers are employed in the defense industry and technology fields, and that some engineers who went abroad returned to Türkiye after gaining experience. Look, "Not everyone in this country leaves. Those who go to work also come after gaining experience." he said.
