12.01.2026 19:02
The launch of the GençLig project, carried out in collaboration with the Turkey Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (GSB), and the Ministry of National Education (MEB), took place in 81 provinces. As part of the launch program, a demonstration match was organized with the participation of many famous names. Bilal Erdoğan, a member of the TÜGVA High Advisory Board, and İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, the President of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), made important statements regarding Turkish football.
The Turkey Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (GSB) and the Ministry of National Education (MEB), held the launch of the GençLig project, which is being implemented in 81 provinces, in Istanbul in 2026.
MANY IMPORTANT NAMES ATTENDED THE LAUNCH The launch program was attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Enes Eminoğlu, President of the Turkish Football Federation İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, TÜGVA High Advisory Board Member Necmettin Bilal Erdoğan, TÜGVA President İbrahim Beşinci, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, A National Football Team Head Coach Vincenzo Montella, Bahçelievler Mayor Hakan Bahadır, and other protocol members, as well as football players; many famous footballers including Arda Turan, Volkan Demirel, Emre Belözoğlu, Mario Jardel, Mesut Özil, Tuncay Şanlı, Hasan Kabze, Necati Ateş, Mehmet Aurelio, Ümit Karan, Mehmet Topal, Emir Dağlı, Taylan Oran, sports commentator Ertem Şener, referee Halil Umut Meler, and coaches Rıza Çalımbay and Hikmet Karaman participated.
AN EXHIBITION MATCH WAS ORGANIZED Later, an exhibition match was organized with the participation of protocol members and famous names. The match ended in a 8-8 draw.
AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE TEAMS THAT PLACE In the "Season of Support for Palestine, Mercy to Our Martyrs" of the GençLig Inter-High School Football Tournament, the first team will receive 25,000 TL per player and advisor coach, the second team will receive 20,000 TL per player and advisor coach, and the third team will receive 15,000 TL per player and advisor coach.
FINAL APPLICATION DATE The final application date for the GençLig project, implemented by TÜGVA, has been announced as March 2, 2026.
'WE EXPECT 60 THOUSAND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMPETE'
TÜGVA High Advisory Board Member Bilal Erdoğan stated that they aim for 60 thousand high school students to compete in the competitions. Erdoğan, who expressed that participation in the organization has increased every year, said:
"Today we are promoting GENÇLİG 2026. It was organized very successfully last year. Over 20 thousand high school students competed in football tournaments all over Turkey. This year, as in every work of TÜGVA, we aim for a better and larger participation, and we aim for approximately 60 thousand high school students to compete in youth competitions this year. There is a difference this year. The spectators and scouts of our football clubs are also following the tournaments. Therefore, it will also be an opportunity for the star candidates participating in these tournaments to rise in football. First of all, I would like to thank all the club managers who support our event here today, our star athletes who are currently playing and have played in the past, our coach Montella, and our esteemed Minister. I would like to take this opportunity to remind that football is an area that unites us, helps us overcome our differences, and represents the brotherhood of this nation very seriously."
'IT WILL HAVE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO TURKISH FOOTBALL' TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu also stated, "First of all, Mr. Bilal is giving great support to these events. Thank you. This year, 60 thousand of our youth will play in the competitions. Of course, this is very important. Both national team coaches and club presidents are already involved in this. If we can pick 60 of our youth from 60 thousand, it will have a great contribution to Turkish football. As you all have been following lately, many players from our teams have left due to the clean football movement here, but if you look at the young kids coming up from below, there are also those who have transferred abroad. This means we need to pay attention to youth and young people. Both as a federation and as civil society organizations and clubs, the more stars we can include from these young people, the greater duty we will have fulfilled. I extend my respects to all of you."