25.04.2026 11:52
Nine-year-old Ömür Şimşek, whose interest in English began when he heard his martyr father speak English in Hatay, became the world's third-place winner by competing in the NextGen International English Olympiad held in Australia. Reminding Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı of his father's words, 'You can come to me if you have a problem,' said during his father's funeral prayer, Ömür created emotional moments by saying, 'I am not coming here because I have a problem, but with joy.'
Police officer Emirhan Şimşek, who was serving in the Gaziantep Public Order Branch Directorate, was martyred in a traffic accident that occurred while chasing a suspicious motorcycle on October 4, 2023. Ömür Şimşek, who lost her father and was 7 years old at that time, was consoled by Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı with a hug. Ömür Şimşek, a 2nd grade student continuing her education in their hometown of Hatay, proudly waved the Turkish flag by becoming the world's third place in the NextGen International English Olympiad held in Sydney, the capital of Australia.
THE MARTYR'S DAUGHTER'S WORDS LEFT ADMIRATION
Governor Masatlı hosted Şimşek, who achieved success by becoming the world's third place in the English Olympiad, at his office. Congratulating the martyr's daughter for her success, Governor Masatlı presented a gift to Ömür and wished her continued success. During the conversation, Ömür reminded Governor Masatlı of what he said at her father's funeral prayer: 'You can come to me if you have any trouble,' and said, 'I am coming here not because I have a problem, but with joy,' expressing her happiness with her success. The martyr's daughter, recalling the events of the funeral day, gave Governor Masatlı emotional moments.
"ÖMÜR MADE US PROUD JUST LIKE HER FATHER"
Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı, who came together with the martyr's daughter, who waved the Turkish flag in the international competition and became the world's third place, said, 'First of all, I would like to express that I am very hopeful for the success of our daughter Ömür, the child of our martyr brother Emirhan Şimşek. She brought home the third-place award for our country in the English Olympiad in Australia. I hugged our daughter Ömür at her martyred father's grave back then. I told our daughter, 'If you have any request or trouble, please come to me.' We had emotional moments then, but now I am having emotional moments from happiness. Because our daughter did not come for a problem or a request. She proudly and successfully represented Turkey in the English Olympiad in Australia, making us proud just like her father. Her father was also a brother who gave his life for this land so that the flag could wave. She also struggled, worked, succeeded there to wave the Turkish flag, and came to us with an award. I wholeheartedly congratulate her. I especially thank her mother and teachers who raised our daughter Ömür. I would like to state here that I will do everything I can, as a state and personally, to support her success in her future life and for her to be a good and successful person.'
"MY INTEREST IN ENGLISH BEGAN WITH MY FATHER'S SPEECH"
Ömür Şimşek, stating that her interest in English began with her martyred father speaking English, said, 'I went to Australia for the English Olympiad competition. There, I became third in the English Olympiad, won a medal, and waved the Turkish flag. I learned English at my school. My initial interest in English started with my father speaking English and catching my attention. I am very happy to have won the competition and I am proud of myself.' - HATAY