Thanks to a grant from the State Department’s Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), Public Affairs Istanbul supported the Turkish Basketball Federation’s (TBF) Best Five 2007 Basketball camps in Erzincan and Usak. Supported by generous YEP funding, three basketball coaches from the USA participated in the camp, organizing the training program and offering training to Turkish coaches as well. Istanbul Public Affairs Officer Craig Kuehl participated in the opening press conferences in both cities and donated new basketballs to all participants on behalf of YEP and U.S. Mission Turkey.

Around 26 Turkish coaches and 160 boys and girls between the ages of 9 -15 from 12 provinces of Eastern and Southeastern Turkey participated in the Erzincan program and 170 participated in the Usak program. The American coaches shared their experience with the Turkish coaches and the campers. The Usak governor and mayor took an active interest in the camp, and participated in the inaugural press conference. In Erzincan, the deputy governor and deputy mayor both took part in the press conference. Local and national media attended both press conferences, resulting in extensive media coverage.  The American coaches, Alan Walls of Texas Lutheran University (head coach), Chris Bunch of Webster University and Dinari Foreman of Lewis and Clark University, did a superb job of organizing the drills and games while at the same time building an atmosphere of fun and adventure. For many of the children, it was their first acquaintance with Americans, and the warm bonds established will not easily be erased. 

Please see the photo gallery for photos from the Erzincan camp.

Please see the photo gallery for photos from the Usak camp.