Newsletters
Türkiye's under-17 women's national volleyball team returned to Istanbul to a warm welcome after finishing second at the 2026 FIVB Girls' U17 World Championship in Santiago, Chile.
The national team delegation arrived at Istanbul Airport aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK216, where players and coaching staff were greeted with flowers by Türkiye Volleyball Federation (TVF) board member Ersin Yilmaz, federation officials, and the athletes' families.
Players received an enthusiastic welcome before the squad and coaching staff came together for commemorative photographs at the airport.
Congratulating the players and technical team, Yilmaz said the result once again showed the strength of Türkiye's youth volleyball system and described the young players as the future of the country's rapidly developing national program.
He also thanked the clubs, families, and everyone involved in bringing the players through the system, saying the federation was working to provide them with the opportunities needed to follow in the footsteps of Türkiye's senior women's team.
"They represent us beautifully around the world. We are trying to provide every opportunity for these girls who are following in the footsteps of their older sisters, and they are giving us the results in return. We are very happy," Yilmaz said.
Head coach Ozer Ozger said the team had hoped to win the final but was pleased to return to Türkiye with a medal after proudly representing the country.
He added that the achievement also highlighted how far volleyball had come in Türkiye, particularly as it followed the success achieved by the senior women's national team.
"We would have liked to win the final, but this was the result. In the end, we are very happy to come back with a medal and to show how volleyball has developed in our country," Ozger said.
Team captain Ecrin Selis Turkyasar also pointed to the influence of Türkiye's senior players, saying the younger generation was excited to continue along the path they had opened up.
"Walking on this path that our older sisters have opened for us makes us very happy. We are all very excited and very happy," she said.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
