Hello Damla. Can you tell us a little about what you experienced as a team during the great earthquake of February 6th, those who died, those who were injured, those who had other opportunities and went to another team, those who could not?
Since it was going to be a national team break at that time, our last match was against Beşiktaş in Istanbul on February 5th. Everyone was given leave after the match. I stayed in Istanbul because some of my family lived in Istanbul. Most of my teammates went to their hometowns or wherever they wanted. However, since my foreign teammates could not return to their country during this short break, they returned to Hatay with my two Turkish friends. During that period, we did not hear much from our team friends in Hatay. We were very worried about them. We were left in despair and horror. Our teammates, managers, healthcare workers, equipment workers, everyone was in a difficult situation. There were those who were injured and those who lost their relatives. We had some deaths, not from the Hatayspor Women's Football A team, but from its infrastructure, the Hatayspor Men's A team. I wish God's mercy on all of them and I never forget my prayers. We all had to abandon this struggle as a result of a tragic event such as an earthquake and unavailable opportunities. Thus, everyone met with different teams and made their transfers.
You are currently playing for Istanbul Telsizspor. How did your transfer happen and how did you connect to life after the great devastation? Is everything going well? What are the things you lack as a female football player?
Yes, I am currently at Telsiz Spor, where I proudly wear the jersey. My transfer took place upon the recommendation of Telsizspor's goalkeeper, my friend Kader, to the club. In fact, I am still recovering from the great devastation. But during this process, my only family and football have always been the reason why I bond more tightly to life. Thanks to them, everything is going well now. As a female football player, I find the recognition lacking compared to men's football. I feel a slight lack of professionalism.
Have you been able to adapt to your new team, what position do you play and what extra work do you do outside of training to improve in this position?
The team was very warm and friendly from the very beginning. In this way, it took me a short time to adapt. My position is midfield. In order to progress in this position, I am working with an individual coach on football and my position. Extra sports nutrition studies, meditation, etc. outside of training. I continue my mental and physical work.
What do your coaches think about your football talent and development?
My teachers told me that they thought I read the game well, made smart decisions and had a quick wit in football, and that I should improve on these.
What work do you want the Women Footballers Association, which was newly established in Türkiye and aims to gather all female football players, represent them at TFF and UEFA levels, and defend their rights, to do, what issues to address, and who else to cooperate with?
As female football players, we always support and will continue to support activities that try to make women's football more known, represent them and defend their rights. I want to address the issues that women's football should be broadcast frequently on TV screens, that football has no gender, that it should at least reach the financial integrity to compete with men's football, and to cooperate with everyone who will contribute a lot to women's football.
