Hello, Damla, you started your sports life by competing in the athletics school team in high school, and as a team, you achieved second place in the province. Can you tell us a little about that process?
I actually started my sports life when I was 7 years old. I was the only girl in the neighborhood where I grew up, so I grew up with boys. I started sports by running a ball around the neighborhood. Football continued in the neighborhood for me until 2015. I started Galatasaray Mamak Football School in 2015 (it was a school where Anadolubeyi Sports Club trained). As a girl, we trained with boys.
You started football after athletics and you have been playing football for 8 years. How did this major change happen?
Afterwards, my mother did not want me to play football, but it was an advantage for me to move on to high school, and together with my physical education teacher in high school, they directed me to athletics. To get away from football, I was interested in athletics for 3.5 years. Returning from football to athletics caused muscle tears because it used different muscle groups. I could not achieve any individual success, but as a school team, we came 2nd in Ankara province in the inter-high school competition. But I was not happy about being interested in this branch and I constantly expressed my unhappiness. My mother was still against me playing football, but one day they met a man at the hospital, and that man convinced my mother by telling her, "Don't be your daughter's regret, let her do what she loves, she won't be happy with what she does if you force her." When my mother came with me and said, "I give you permission now, you can be interested in any branch you want," I found a club for myself within 5 minutes and contacted them. Since that day, that is, for 5 years, I have been continuing my football life as a player of Ankara Metropol Spor. My mother, who was once against me, now supported me in the stands at every match.
Do you study at a university?
I am studying at Karabük University. I am a 3rd year student of Hasan Doğan Besyo Coaching Department.
You have been playing in Ankara Metropolspor for the last 5 years. Could you tell us a little about your club's culture, traditions, corporate structure and environment?
Ankara Metropol Sports Club is a club that has included many activities other than football since I arrived. In the summer, we organize holidays under the name of the team and go on vacation. We accept and accept young people of all ages as our teammates, we do not discriminate. We are a team where the age difference is absolutely not a problem, we organize tournaments. We also direct some of our student friends to a referee course so that they can improve themselves further in addition to playing football within the rules and education. In short, we are a club where there is discipline, respect and love for everyone, and fun.
What position do you play and what do your coaches think about you for this position?
The question "What position do I play in?" is the hardest for me. If you ask why, there is a structure that can adapt to every position. Wherever the team's weakest area is, I will take charge that season. In this new season, I will serve as the front libero of the team. I plan to apply the tactics my coach taught me in training and be productive for the team. I think my teachers are also pleased with me.
Do you have a striking story you can share with us?
Of course, like every person, I have a story to share with you. We were competing in the 2nd league in the 2022-2023 season. We had a match against Konyaaltı Sports Club, we went away to Antalya. For me, I was having perhaps the most productive match of my life, until an unfortunate incident occurred. While I was defending towards the touchline to put pressure, the opponent player hit the ball hard with a cross shot and the ball hit me in the face and at that moment I was injured and bleeding occurred in my right pupil. I was taken to Antalya Hospital by ambulance. I was treated there that day, they gave me hospitalization, but we said we came from out of town. After the treatment there, I returned to Ankara and continued the treatment. I lost my sight for 1.5 months. There is no problem at the moment, but I am not allowed to go to the head ball. By taking this risk, I continue to play football stubbornly.
In your opinion, what are the difficulties of being a female football player in Türkiye?
It is difficult to be a female football player in Türkiye because, like everywhere else, there needs to be advertising or someone you know involved. We are having a bit of a hard time moving forward on this issue. Another aspect is that over time, we are breaking the perception that women around us do not play football. The opening of big clubs paved the way for us. Apart from this, I hope that the authorities will monitor every club, regardless of league, and give them more chances.
What do you do to improve yourself further and what sources do you draw from?
I want to improve myself as an individual, to educate and teach rather than to play.
You are still a very young football player. What are your future plans?
Due to my injury, football will remain a hobby for me, but I want to continue developing and coaching due to the department I study in.
