Sir, can we get to know you better?
First of all, hello. My name is Aleyna. I am 25 years old. I am a doctor in Erzincan. I also play for Erzincan Gençlerbirliği Women's Football team. I play in the midfield, right and left positions.
How did you start playing football?
My brother had a great influence on me starting football. I played football with him when I was little, and my brother taught me many things about football. Then we moved to Samsun. There were tryouts for my school's girls' football team in Samsun. While I was playing football in physical education class, my physical education teacher saw me and included me in the team. This is how my football adventure started.
Where have you played so far?
I played in the school's girls' football team for 3 years. Later, when my physical education teacher was appointed to Samsun Sports High School, they founded a club there and I continued to play there. We went to many tournaments. We made Türkiye rankings. I played many matches in the women's second league. At that time, I even went to the national team tryouts. At that time, since I was playing in the sports high school team and being a student at the Science High School, classes were a bit difficult, so my family wanted me to take a break from football. When I turned to education, football took a bit of a backseat, but I always had the same enthusiasm inside me.
How did your Erzincan Youth Power adventure begin?
When I got into Erzincan Faculty of Medicine at the university, I immediately started researching the women's football teams there and made an agreement with my current club, Erzincan Gençlerbirliği Women's Football team. I've been playing here for 7 years.
As a doctor, what are the shortcomings you see in Women's Football?
If I were to answer this question as both a doctor and a football lover, I think women's football is not in the place it deserves. It can be said that there has been an increase in the last few years with the new restructuring. But this rise is mostly due to the support provided by big clubs. We have talented little sisters in every corner of our country, and most of them cannot show their talents due to family pressure or financial difficulties. I think this is something to think about.
Could you tell us a little about your weekly program at Erzincan Youth Force?
We have weekday training sessions with Erzincan Gençlerbirliği Club. I try to attend these when I'm not on duty. Sometimes we have brothers from the junior team who come to accompany us, and I try to pay special attention to them. It makes me very happy to convey my knowledge to them and motivate them. We play friendly matches with football schools on weekends. They even come and ask, sister, are you really a doctor? We joke around :) They are all more enjoyable than the other.
What are the advantages of being a doctor for you and the team?
I can provide first aid in case of any health problem. Or, thanks to me, we can break the prejudices of families. We make families believe that football and education can go together, and that success in both can be achieved with regular work. I especially try to communicate, I say that the things that make children happy should not be prevented. As someone who has achieved this success, I think what I said is effective.
How do you balance your identity as a doctor and a football player during the day?
I try to put my identity as a doctor aside when I'm in the field. I focus on football and try to give maximum efficiency. In my professional life, my friends are very surprised when they hear that I play football, and they even invite me to the football field. This situation is remarkable, but enjoyable.
As a doctor, what positions would you consider pursuing in the sports industry in the coming years?
I want to be involved in football in the future. I had a dream of becoming a sports physician. This remains at one point for the future. Now I am preparing for the TUS exam. After improving myself a little in football, I would like to establish a club with my friends. I want to work to raise football players who are talented in women's football, have high moral values, and are also academically successful. I am commenting to raise awareness on this issue, as I would be very happy if I could help even one child realize their dreams.
