6 February 2023
Barriers are being overcome through sport with the ‘‘Movement to Overcome’’ campaign launched by the Turkish Beyazay Association and run under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye.
At the sports festival hosted by the Düzce branch of the Turkish Beyazay Association, people with and without disabilities rode horses, cycled, played basketball and football together, and experienced the thrill of ‘‘zip-lining’’ over the Melen Stream.
On the basketball court at the Düzce Youth Centre, people with disabilities and members of the press formed two mixed teams and played a basketball match.
After riding horses at a farm in the city, people with and without disabilities then cycled a circuit. Following the cycle ride they made their way to the Melen Stream, where they crossed to the other side of the river together on a steel cable known as a ‘‘zip line’’.
The President of the Turkish Beyazay Association, Lokman AYVA, who was at the event, said: ‘‘We organised an event at which every kind of prejudice and every kind of barrier was overcome. During the day activities such as zip-lining, horse riding and a cycle tour were held. Our aim is for everyone, with and without disabilities, to be together. Positive messages will come out of today's event for Türkiye. We hope all our citizens will rid themselves of their prejudices and break the mould. When there is movement, barriers are quickly overcome. By waiting we cannot overcome a single barrier of ours. People who do sport become active and find a place for themselves within social life. Here two different individuals, one with a disability and one without, are on the same team.”