Volkan Buharalı, the President of İstanbulspor. We had a pleasant
conversation about Buharalı, who was born in İstanbul and comes from a sportsman family, his affection to İstanbulspor, and his plans for the future of the club.
Hi Volkan, can you please talk about yourself a bit?
My name is Volkan Buharalı, I was born in İstanbul in 1966. I graduated İstanbul Erkek Lisesi in 1986. I have a 17 year old daughter. I am an industrialist and an exporter. I come from a sportsman family. My father Mesut Buharalı played for Adaletspor, which competed in the football league in the 1950s, my uncle Kenan Buharalı, one of the legends of İstanbulspor, played for
the club for almost 13 years between 1950s and 60s, 11 years as the captain. My family has never stayed away from sports, and especially football has been a very important part of my life from the early ages. Even when my father and uncle were in trade business, my father was the manager, my uncle was the coach, and my brother was the goalkeeper of Şehzadebaşıspor. Therefore, I have a passion for İstanbulspor, the yellow-blacks, due to both İstanbul Erkek Lisesi and my family. My business partner also graduated from İstanbul Erkek Lisesi and we have played handball for İstanbulspor for many years. Today we are doing business together but still haven’t broken
away from sports. We still play in veteran matches. Starting at our school with other İstanbul Erkek Lisesi graduate handball players who are currently playing at international matches under the license of Turkish Handball Federation and continuing at our club, we represented our club at handball organizations from amateur league to professional 1st league, both as players and as managers. Currently I act as the president of İstanbulspor due to my loyalty
Can you tell us about the activities of İstanbul Sports Club?
Currently, our professional football team İstanbulspor A.S. competes in Turkish Super League successfully, and further improves every day. This is a great source of pride and motivation for our community. At İstanbulspor, we, unlike other teams, continue our activities not only in football but also
in many other amateur branches. Our branches include men’s football, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s volleyball, rowing, chess, bridge, and cycling. If we believe that we can ensure the sustainability, with the passion of young individuals as well as support from the sponsors, we would like to compete in more branches. With our coaches who are qualified in these branches, we continue working for our current athletes and our infrastructure. In all these activities, we are trying to involve the graduates of our school in higher classes as sponsors and ensure sustainability by transferring
their duties and responsibilities to their brothers and sisters in the lower classes. Our biggest issue is that our school does not have a gym. We use the sports centers and facilities in our district, especially with the support from İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Fatih Mayor’s Office and Fatih Sports Clubs Association.
Can you talk about the current situation of İstanbulspor?
İstanbulspor, which operated in amateur branches, had to discontinue its activities for several reasons and financial issues. Currently we have been carrying out infrastructure activities for the future, with the mission of directing young “yellow and black” individuals at İstanbul Erkek Lisesi İELEV schools to sports. These young people will continue their lives as successful individuals both in Türkiye and abroad, with their academic achievements If we can promote sports and team building, these
young people will become more confident and socially intelligent individuals both in their personal and family lives.
Ensuring that an athlete moves towards wherever they want to be in the future,
preparing them psychologically, and making sure that
they lead by example is a long-lasting teamwork.
Infrastructure investments and the development of young players?
As you know we cannot talk about a future without infrastructure, regardless of the sports branch. You have to work with correct coaches and motivate the young individuals correctly to make your
infrastructure efforts work. Our U14 and U18 teams, for example, are getting very successful results. We also train our athletes in various age groups in basketball and volleyball, starting from the elementary school to high school grades. Chess and cycling also play an important role in these infrastructure efforts. We will act with this same logic in the rowing branch that we have recently
established. Ensuring that an athlete moves towards wherever they want to be in the future, preparing them psychologically, and making sure that they lead by example is a long-lasting teamwork. This team includes the athletes, trainers, families and the environment. Being patient and acting correctly is cornerstone of success. With this in mind, we are trying to provide our athletes with the right goals, ensure that they can work hard and become a team, and train them correctly in all aspects. We, as the Board of İstanbulspor, are working in harmony in a democratic structure, and constantly informing each other. Since we all come from sports and are experienced in their fields, we support each other about the tasks we undertake in managing the club.
How do you assess the current situation of Turkish football?
Infrastructure investments and general developments are perfect in Turkish football in recent years. However, the technical and conditional development of the athletes is not sufficient. Maybe we should start working at younger ages In our society, families want their children to play sports and spend time and money for this. The issue is that there are not enough sports facilities. And young players are living difficulties to play in Super League teams since the clubs generally prefer experienced and famous players instead of being patient and giving the young players a chance. We believe that this will improve over time.
Currently, our professional football team İstanbulspor A.S. competes in Turkish Super
League successfully, and further improves each passing day.
