The Turkish Leg of the Duke of Edinburgh Cup, Bringing Elite Golfers Together to Support Youth in the Earthquake Zone, Was Held in Istanbul

The Turkish leg of one of the most prestigious tournaments in the golf world, the Duke of Edinburgh Cup, took place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, in Istanbul. This eagerly awaited event brought together Turkey’s elite golfers.

Held at the Riva MVK Golf Course in Istanbul, the tournament’s winning duo was Bülent Özgür and Murat Bayrak. This pair will participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Cup World Finals in England, where they will also attend a special celebration dinner at Windsor Castle.

Organized in Turkey under the coordination of the Turkish Human Resources, Education, and Health Foundation (TİKAV), founded by Akfen Holding, the tournament featured a charity auction that attracted significant attention from participants. Proceeds from the auction will support the recruitment of students from earthquake-affected regions for the International Youth Award Program, a volunteer-driven personal development initiative for young people aged 14-24.

The Turkish leg of the Duke of Edinburgh Cup was hosted on October 26, 2024, at the Riva MVK Golf Course and Istanbul Golf Club. This exciting event, anticipated by golf enthusiasts, brought together Turkey’s elite golfers. The winners, Bülent Özgür and Murat Bayrak, earned the right to join the Duke of Edinburgh Cup World Finals in England and attend a special celebration dinner at Windsor Castle.

Combining sports and social responsibility, the tournament provided a meaningful gathering point for both golf enthusiasts and philanthropists alike.

During the tournament, artworks donated by Loft Art artists were auctioned, with proceeds directed towards recruiting students from earthquake-affected cities into the International Youth Award Program. This program offers a volunteer-driven personal development pathway for young people aged 14-24.

“A PRESTIGIOUS GOLF TOURNAMENT AND A SOURCE OF SUPPORT FOR YOUTH”

TİKAV Board Member Pelin Akın Özalp highlighted that the Istanbul leg of the Duke of Edinburgh Cup serves not only as one of Turkey’s most prestigious golf events but also as a significant social responsibility project supporting youth personal development. She continued:

“Today, we are proud to gather for the Turkey leg of the Duke of Edinburgh Cup. This event is part of TİKAV’s international projects and supports the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program, which focuses on youth development. As Turkey’s representative of this program, active in 136 countries, we support our youth in skill-building, physical development, and community service. This tournament not only fosters individual development but also serves a noble purpose by channeling all proceeds towards earthquake relief. Young people awarded through this program will be honored at a special event at Windsor Castle attended by the Duke. At TİKAV, we aim to continue these projects for the long term, reaching more young people and supporting them on their life journeys.”

FINALISTS TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT WINDSOR CASTLE

The Duke of Edinburgh Cup is recognized as a prestigious golf event supporting the International Award Program. Finalists from each country are invited to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Cup World Finals in England.

The 36-hole World Finals take place over two days on prestigious golf courses near London. Additionally, a friendly match with members of the Royal Household Golf Club at Windsor Castle and a gala dinner with members of the Royal Family in attendance are part of the event.

TİKAV CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH PROJECTS IN THREE KEY AREAS

Pelin Akın Özalp also shared insights into TİKAV’s projects: “As TİKAV celebrates its 25th anniversary, we focus on three active areas: women, youth, and children. Our projects have impacted 50,000 people, and many have won awards at various events.”

The Individual Development Program (BGP), aimed at equipping university students with life skills to prepare them for professional and social life, has reached 354 young people since 1999. Through this program, students receive training in topics such as diction, protocol, etiquette, self-care, dental health, creative drama, and emotional intelligence, preparing them for post-graduate life.

Akın Özalp added that TİKAV also runs National Projects in rural areas where Akfen Renewable Energy operates, providing education to women and families in 18 provinces across 27 rural regions. This year’s theme is “Our Digital Footprint,” aiming to raise awareness among women in rural areas on the effective and responsible use of digital platforms and addressing potential legal, social, physiological, and psychological issues arising from digital misuse.

Highlighting that the International Award Program has been running in Turkey for 20 years, Akın Özalp stated, “With its components of Volunteer Service, Physical Development, Skill Development, and Adventure & Exploration, this program supports the personal development of young people aged 14-24 worldwide. In Turkey, the number of young participants has exceeded 20,000 as of last year, with an increasing number of schools and students involved.”

Akın Özalp concluded by announcing that the 13th EMAS Region (Europe, Mediterranean, and Arab States) meeting of the International Award Program would be held in Istanbul from November 26-28, bringing the program’s decision-makers to Turkey.

About the International Youth Award Program-Turkey:

The International Youth Award Program, initially launched in 1956 in the United Kingdom with the support of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has reached over 13 million young people in 130+ countries, including over 20,000 participants in Turkey. Known in Turkey as “The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award-Turkey” (DoEIA-TR), the program started in 2003 and was formalized in 2013 under a Licensing Agreement with the International Award Foundation. TİKAV is the only institution authorized to promote, implement, audit, and certify the International Youth Award Program in Turkey.