Were you interested in any licensed sports before you started playing football?
I was born in Soma. Soma is a small district of Manisa. Before the mining accident in our district, there was no active Soma Zafer Sports women's football team. That's why I played volleyball for a while, thanks to my friends. But it didn't last long enough to get a license.
How did you become interested in football?
Frankly, I have been in this game for as long as I can remember. I can say that I grew up with the ball. While my girlfriends who were the same age as me did not like football, I would chase the ball with the boys in the neighborhood from morning to night.
What do you see as different in women's football compared to men's?
The importance given to men is not given to women. Equipment, revenues generated, etc. supports are a part of them. I would like to tell a related memory about my old teacher. I grew up in Zafer sports infrastructure and 5-6 years ago we were competing in the 3rd League. Naturally, we wanted to play in Atatürk Stadium, the most beautiful stadium in Soma. However, Soma municipality rejected our request due to Soma sports men's team matches. Claiming that we could damage the field ground, he chose a field with much worse floors and dirty dressing rooms that did not even have curtains. My Zafer sports coach Hakan Arslancan took us away in all the matches for a period, saying 'I don't treat girls as second class'. We played all our matches outside the city. Women's organizations, fans, press, etc. After the reactions of important people, Soma Municipality gave us the field we wanted.
Do you think the transition to professionalism will increase the quality of women's football?
In fact, we can see the benefits of this from last year as well. With the involvement of many super league teams such as Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, interest in women's football is increasing day by day.
There seems to be less bad cheering in the stands. How is the situation on the field? Are women more respectful to their rivals?
I have also seen people who cheer badly and behave very badly on the field, but I think this varies depending on the tension of the match. But I can say that it is mostly respectful.
Is the appreciation of women's football in a country one of the ways to make women more valuable?
I think we should not look at this only from a sports perspective. There is generally no value for women in this country, sports Just proof that women can be as successful as men.
Where do you see women's football in Turkey after 5 years? Do you think there is rapidly growing interest?
It is certain that there is a rapidly developing and increasing interest. Most female football players in the next 5 years that they can reach at least enough income to manage their lives and have more than one television. I think they will reach a level where they can be followed on their channels.
What is the importance of women's football in terms of the place of football in society?
As a country, we love football very much. But women's football is also like trying to play American football in Turkey.
What is the impact of women's football on women's social life?
We are more planned. We need to plan everything according to our training. And we definitely have a social circle thanks to football. I have friends from many parts of the country and even abroad now. I have had opportunities that I could never have had, and I have visited many cities and countries. If I didn't play football, I wouldn't have any of this.
What is the impact of women's football on the social and cultural change of society? Effect on swearing, fighting, bad cheer, violence?
Prejudices towards women's football are starting to decrease day by day. As in men's football, women's There may be swearing and bad chants in football, too. Varies depending on the tempo and crowd of the match It shows. Although not as common as in men's football, such things can also be seen in women's football. possible.
In the context of media and sponsorship, especially on TV, what should be done to make women's football more watched and find fans?
Some channels, such as Sports TV, actually show their support by broadcasting the matches. But just do it Instead of playing certain matches, all matches of certain leagues are on platforms accessible to everyone. I think it would be nice if they published it. In terms of sponsorship, Turkcell is very big during the Covid-19 season. took responsibility. Vodafone also creates a beautiful media face for Beşiktaş. Sponsors is increasing day by day. Thanks to these sponsors, friendly matches with top teams of other countries editable. In this way, we can both globalize Turkish football and increase the audience.
What would you like to say about equal opportunities in women's football?
Many countries such as Canada and America have actually struggled for this and continue to receive positive results. In my opinion, it is possible to say that we have many more years to achieve this equality of opportunity in our country.
