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In a city where tag rugby remains largely unknown, physical education teacher Erdem Celik and his determined young athletes are putting Kilis on the sporting map with championship ambitions.
The boys' youth tag rugby team from Ataturk Middle School in Kilis, formed just a year ago, has already claimed victory at the regional championships held in Kirikkale on May 8-11. Now, they're setting their sights higher.
Practicing in their schoolyard with limited resources but unlimited enthusiasm, the team of seventh and eighth graders is preparing to compete in the National School Sports Tag Rugby Championship scheduled for May 22-26 in Corum.
"We really want to be champions, and we're working very hard for it," Celik told Anadolu Agency. "I believe in my athletes."
Celik founded the team approximately one year ago, introducing the sport to students who had little prior knowledge of rugby.
His effort represents a broader mission to popularize tag rugby in Kilis, a southeastern Turkish province where the sport has minimal presence.
"I trust this sport will produce athletes who will eventually play for Türkiye's national team and the best club sides," Celik said. Team member Mehmet Ali Korkmaz, who discovered the sport through his teacher's guidance, has quickly developed a passion for tag rugby.
"I want to make Kilis known by becoming a champion," said Korkmaz. "My goal is to become a national athlete in the future."
Another player, Cuma Mirac Patoglu, who began playing tag rugby about 10 months ago, has already set his career aspirations around the sport. "I want to become a coach," he said.
The team continues rigorous preparation, hoping their journey from schoolyard practices to regional triumph will culminate in national championship glory next week in Corum.
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