The role of sports in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic has been stressed at the "Stay Home, Stay Fit" program.

During the program moderated by Pelin Çift, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, and national athletes have made comments, on April,17.

Yunus Emre Institute President Şeref Ateş noted that Yunus Emre Institute promotes Turkey and Turkish culture and forges humanitarian bonds around the world. "Cultural heritage is transferred via history. We support this grand heritage by deriving lessons from history. We do not see history as the account of the deeds of our ancestors, but see it as a source to take lessons from to re-blend our time," he said. He indicated that the Institute produces culture and science as two major assets of humankind and shares them with the rest of the world, and treats all nations as peers, not as rivals.

Ateş stated that they ask themselves what Yunus Emre would do in our time and act accordingly. "We are going through a rough time. Everything including mosques, churches, synagogues, and sport fields is closed. If Yunus Emre were alive today, he would call on humanity to act with compassion and unity. Let us ask our inner voice and take heed of our conscience to let our cultural heritage live. Today, we meet our sportspeople who have a special place in the conception of making peace with oneself. I greet our sportspeople to listen to their stories on how people can understand their bodies and develop them.

Culture and Tourism Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mehmet Nuri Ersoy indicated that although he has to maintain his normal work flow during the Covid-19 pandemic, he starts his day by doing exercises. He noted that this process offers a good opportunity to do exercises at home.

"First of all, I would like to thank our Minister and sportspeople for their participation. I congratulate the Institute for organizing several events during the quarantine. This crisis in question is no longer restricted to healthcare, but has its toll on many areas in society. We have to act with common sense and abide by the measures taken. If we follow these rules, we will soon get back to our normal lives. At this point, sportspeople have important roles to play. You are role models for our children and youth. You have social responsibilities. I congratulate you and believe that you will fill Turkey with pride once again," he said.

In his speech, Youth and Sports Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mehmet Kasapoğlu said: "This process is about spending the time efficiently with dialogue with family members and with contemplation. We have realized that the facilities we have as humanity are very precious, and this process will bring about many gains." He pointed out that the process is a good opportunity for making positive inferences.

Minister Mehmet Kasapoğlu said: "I would like to thank our Minister and you for this important meeting. Yunus Emre Institute and our sportspeople constitute two groups acting as our voluntary ambassadors. The Institute is filling us with pride with its activities around the world. I believe that they have accomplished great things in a short time. You have communicated our country's message in the best way; we are grateful to you. Our sportspeople, too, represent our country in the best way possible and we take pride in them. They are important role models for our youth. I am particularly glad to be with you in this rough period."

Following the keynote speeches by the ministers, national athletes Eda Tuğsuz (athletics), İbrahim Çolak (gymnastics), Cenk İldem (wrestling), Meltem Hocaoğlu Akyol (karate), Kenan Sipahi (basketball), Oğuzhan Özyakup (football), Neriman Özsoy (volleyball) and Erke Lale (wheelchair fencing) talked about their routines during the Covid-19 epidemic and gave advice to the participants.

European champion karate player Meltem Hocaoğlu stated that they have turned disadvantages of being at home into advantages. "I have just started to realize the importance of engaging individuals in sports and performing mental exercise. I hope that this process will nurture our souls," she said.

Gymnast İbrahim Çolak, who won the gold medal in gymnastics and holds Turkey's best record in this area, said: "We should get involved in sports at an early age and with gymnastics. One can be successful in every branch of sports with a basic sports training for two or three years. Sports should be part of your life and you should set targets for yourself. As you try to attain your targets, you will overcome the difficulties and you will eventually be successful. It is important that you should do exercises as long as you stay at home. If you have a strong immune system, you will be protected from viruses," he said. Çolak gave a demonstration of the basic gymnastic movements that can be performed easily at home.

Wrestler Cenk İldem talked about what he is doing during the Covid-10 epidemic. "We have developed new methods of training and exercises. I believe that this process has taught us that human health is crucial and society will show greater interest in sports. I hope that these bad days are precursors of good days to come. We cannot achieve anything if we do not dream it. Olympics constitute the largest event of sports. We are working to represent our nation in the best way possible," he said.

For programme; https://www.pscp.tv/w/1yoKMaVoXjnKQ