On 22-24 April, ATHLETIQS sports, scholarship and talent management company of Lithuanian origin, organized the first Basketball STAR CAMP event in Turkey, held in Ankara, under the sponsorship of DOFER YAPI and with the contributions of Ted Ankara College Sports Club. The best surprise for young athletes in a special week like April 23 was the Lithuanian 3-point king ARTURAS MILAKNIS, one of the legendary names of European basketball and the Euroleague and also the partner of ATHLETIQS company.
With MILAKNIS, approximately 125 young athletes were accompanied every day for 3 days by his former teammate and co-founder of ATHLETIQS, KAROLIS KALVAITIS, ATHLETIQS’s Turkey partner, former basketball player CENK KARŞİT, and TOMAS BUTKUS, one of ATHLETIQS’ head coaches who trained in American college basketball. This 3-day STAR CAMP, in which the coaches of Ted Ankara Collegiate Sports Club contributed throughout the day, ensured that both parents and students had unforgettable moments.
Expressing their feelings after STAR CAMP, the coaches continued their words as follows;
Arturas Milaknis said, “It has always been exciting to be with young talents, I am sure that the energy I get from them while transferring my experiences to them will always keep me in basketball. “The interest of Turkish youth in basketball is truly incredible.”
Karolis Kalvaitis: “Lithuania is a basketball country, that is indisputable. We are aware of the importance and development given to basketball in Turkey. During STAR CAMP, we had the opportunity to meet with other basketball sports clubs in Ankara. We want to ensure the continuation of such organizations so that young athletes can both play sports and continue their academic education in America. I would like to express my gratitude once again to our sponsor DOFER YAPI, who has a family history of sports, for the support he always gives to sports, and to Ted College sports club and club manager Sinan Bey, who treated us like a teammate throughout the entire camp.
Cenk Karsit said, “I have been involved in basketball and sports since I was 7 years old. I played licensed basketball for 21 years, 17 of which I spent on a single team. I have always witnessed how much value basketball can add to a person’s life from a young age. Both academic success, bilateral relations and discipline in life. Sports should be a way of life and we, as ATHLETIQS, will continue to contribute to this as much as we can. I would like to thank those who contributed to STAR CAMP ANKARA’24 on this meaningful day gifted to children by the Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. “
Coach Tomas Butkus said, “I played college basketball in America. One of the toughest opponents I faced was NBA player ZION WILLIAMSON, whom everyone knows very well. We faced each other many times. I observed firsthand how hard he worked, his physical strength, as well as his ambition and the value he gave to basketball. After leaving college basketball, I am making an effort to pass on all my experiences to children. Those who watch me in training already understand this. I was deeply impressed by the love of basketball of all the children we trained with during STAR CAMP. As far as I can see, Turkey is making great efforts to become a true basketball country.
