Hello Aylin. As an experienced football player who played for 15 years in important clubs and also won the national jersey twice, can you tell us about the ups and downs of your entire career in this field?
The brightest period of my career was when I was selected for the national team. I was receiving a lot of transfer offers at that time. I couldn't go to a higher level team because my coach at that time didn't want to send me. Later, when I was going to play for the U19 national team, my cruciate ligament ruptured during the play offs, and when I was about to return, it ruptured again, and since I could not return to football for 2 years after that period, a period of decline began for me.
What positions have you played throughout your football life?
My main position is number 10, but I also played as a forward from time to time. I even took over the goalkeeper during the periods when our goalkeeper was injured, and I even did good work. This must be a talent passed down to me from my father.
In addition to fitness, pilates, badminton, basketball and football coaching, you also have basketball and hockey refereeing. Can you talk about the advantages that all these branches, including football, bring to each other?
Actually, the branch does not matter to me. I enjoy being involved in sports. At the same time, I earn extra financial income. I like being active. Since I was into football, I was doing fitness pilates. Naturally, I later turned this into a job. Football and field hockey are also similar in terms of their positions.
Can you tell us why football dominates among all the branches you are interested in?
In fact, it may be because my father is also a football player and I have always been involved in football since childhood. There is no need for extra materials and space like other branches. It can be played anytime, anywhere, in any way, and I have always pursued it because I believe that this talent has been given to me as a woman. And it has always been my first choice.
Are you thinking of publishing an educational and instructive sports book in which you would like to tell about the experiences of your sports-filled life?
I've never had such a thought before, but as I get more experience, of course one says why not?
Can you tell us about the difficulties faced by female athletes and football players in Türkiye, giving an example from yourself?
Do girls play ball too? What do you understand? Most of us grew up hearing sentences like "If this girl plays, I won't play" from those around us. Even the fact that we wear shorts still continues to be a problem in some circles. Since there is not enough financial support, contractual obligations etc., we can neither receive our money nor our license from the clubs when necessary. Women's football will not move forward unless we become professional and adequate financial support is provided.
What are your goals in your sports career?
First of all, I want to take the team I am currently playing for to the next league and start from the coaching side of the job from the moment I quit football.
Is there a situation where you say, "If they had given me these opportunities in my sports career, I would be in this position?"
Actually, I had many opportunities, but all I can say is that my career and business life would have been much different if I had been allowed to transfer to higher level teams in time.
What suggestions would you make to create equality between men and women in terms of status and earnings in football?
First of all, in order to become professional, clubs should be required to make a contractual obligation for the players. We must be able to defend our rights. Sponsorships need to be provided. TV broadcasts should also be brought.
