THE FIRST SEMINAR BY THE ASSOCIATON

         The first big seminar of the association would be open in 7 June 1969, in Antalya. Towards the end of the May, Süleyman Erol who was regional head and Fevzi Büyükyildirim who was Antalya regional trainer and our member were constantly calling us and warn us about the hot weather. But we could not do anything, whole arrangements and announcements were made. With the proposal of Adnan Süvari, we included Roman physiologist trainer Nicolae Petrescu and conditioner Teoderoscu Dimitru to our program.

Seminar would be given by English technical director Walter Winterbottom. He would be translated by Candan Tarhan and Petruscu's translator would be Zeki Erbilgin. I would go to Istanbul in 4 June 1969, Friday by evening train and meet our foreign guests. A couple hours before my journey, I was called from MIT, they said translator Zeki Erbilgin wouldn't able to come. I was in a very bad situation, it was impossible for me to find someone else. I guess they pitied me. They said they can send someone else who knows Roman language. Raif Gence, who is the person they had founded came to my room at that afternoon, his language was good. We have meet the guests and settled them to their hotels. On Sunday I faced with the biggest problem. Orhan Seref Apak banned the association to use grounds in the mornings. We had nowhere to make practice lessons. Half of the seminar was practice lessons. At that time we did not have wide telephone system as we have today. Moreover, the day was Sunday. yn spite of this, Süleyman bey could manage to find headmaster of Beden Terbiyesi, Ulvi Yenal. Mr. Yenal was also shocked. He couldn't understand federation's prohibition. He gave instruction to Süleyman Bey for us to use the grounds. We all relieved. And rest of the seminar passed without any problem.

On Sunday I faced with the biggest problem. Orhan Seref Apak banned the association to use grounds in the mornings. We had nowhere to make practice lessons. Half of the seminar was practice lessons. At that time we did not have wide telephone system as we have today. Moreover, the day was Sunday. yn spite of this, Süleyman bey could manage to find headmaster of Beden Terbiyesi, Ulvi Yenal. Mr. Yenal was also shocked. He couldn't understand federation's prohibition. He gave instruction to Süleyman Bey for us to use the grounds. We all relieved. And rest of the seminar passed without any problem.

In June 7th, on Monday, at 9.00 am. 120 trainer gathered in front of the building of Beden Terbiyesi. 14 trainer participated to the seminar without fee, this is proposed by administrative council. Because they could not afford the seminar but they had great contributions to the association. The city band at the front, Turkish flag, pennant of the association, we walked through the streets of Antalya and put garland to Atatürk's monument, we sang national anthem and turned back to stadium. In this point I would like to appreciate the valuable contributions of Süleyman bey. Thanks to him, everything was getting in order.

120 trainer entered to ground ten by ten. Since we did not all have sport shoes, we entered with our socks. The band played our national anthem and we all sang. The governor of Antalya made a speech. And the speeches of director of Antalyaspor, regional headmaster Süleyman bey, Winterbottom and Petrescu followed him. The first day's lessons were by Winterbottom. The weather was good. Winterbottom had taught us very different subjects. We were all happy. It was worth everything.

The following day, it was Petrescu's turn. But we had problem with translation. Although Raif Gence knew language very well, he did not know the technical terms. Finally Petrescu decided to talk in French and Muhtar Tucalan would translate it. It was still insufficient but at least better. Petrescu was a very learned man. We learned his value in following years.

Teoderescu did not have problem because he was making practical shows. The main stream of the seminar was Winterbottom. From the very first day of the seminar we got many telegraphs. Minister of Sports, Ulvi Yenal, clubs, many sports men send congratulation messages. It was the third day of the seminar but federation did not send any message. We all shocked. There were 4 journalists among us from Günaydyn. They wrote about the seminar, it was a great blowup. Our journalist friends wanted to make something against the indifference of Federation. They informed this situation to center, in Istanbul. From there they sent a journalist to Federation in Ankara and let them know the grief of trainers. In the fourth day of the seminar, Federation sent a message. That day we made a journey to Alanya, swum, made picnic. We made our journalist friends honorary member. In the last evening of the seminar, Antalyaspor gave a meal for our honor. I am very grateful to them. Many academicians boasted our foreign guests.

This seminar was talked very much. Trainers wanted that sort of seminars again.