President

Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan

Born in 1981 in Istanbul. After graduating from Indiana University in political science and economics, he had his graduate education in Harvard University Kennedy School of Politics on public administration. He's currently engaged in his PhD. studies in Johns Hopkins University, where he addresses the economic growth models of Italy and Turkey. Erdogan has worked as an assistant in Johns Hopkins University's Woodrow Wilson Center, and a specialist in the World Bank and he is a member of the boards of trustees of Ibn Khaldun University, Ilim Yayma Vakfi (Science Dissemination Foundation), Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Islam Bilim Tarihi Arastirmalari Vakfi (Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Islamic Science History Studies Foundation), and Okmeydani Spor Egitim Vakfi (Okmeydani Sports Education Foundation).

 

Vice President

Dr. Hakan Kazancı

He was born in 1975 in Trabzon. After completing his undergraduate education at Baku Medical Faculty, he completed his master's degree in health management at Üsküdar University. After working as a doctor for a while, Kazancı started his career in commerce and has been working as a senior manager in the health sector. He is also the chairman of the board of directors of the Federation of Traditional Sports Branches of Turkey. 
He is married and has three children.

 

Deputy President

Taha Ayhan

Born in 1986 in Istanbul, he studied law and international relations at Istanbul Bilgi University. He continued his postgraduate studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Galatasaray University, and completed his master's degree in law at Istanbul Şehir University. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in law at Ibni Haldun University. Ayhan, who is a freelance lawyer, is currently serving as the President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), which he was elected in October 2018. He is the recipient of the Peace Prize from the Institute for Culture of Peace, a UNESCO related organisation. He was awarded the Palestinian High State Order by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.  
He is fluent in English and French.

 

Deputy President

Bekbolat Tileukhan

Born in 1966 in Karaganda region, Kazakhstan.

He graduated from the Almaty State Conservatory with a degree in concert performer.
He graduated from graduate school at the Alma-Ata State Conservatory
He graduated from the Kazakh State Technical University with a degree in metallurgical engineering.
He has several scientific works on the problems of folk singing and performing arts.
Author of music for songs based on the words of the Head of State of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev, for feature films.
He worked as the director of the Presidential Orchestra of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Also he worked as the Vice-Minister of Culture and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Then he moved to the position of president of the Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He was a Deputy of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan of the 3rd convocation of the 4th convocation and the 6th convocation, and a member of the Committee on Social and Cultural Development

 
 

Executive Board Member

Mehmet Fatih Kalender

He was born in 1983 in Kastamonu. In 2005, he completed his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering at Sakarya University. Kalender, whose special interests include project management, travelling, horse riding and archery, continues his career as a civil engineer.

He is married and has two children.

 
 

Board of Directors Member

Abdulhadi Turus

Born in 1982 in Stuttgart, Abdulhadi TURUS completed his primary education in Germany and his secondary education in his hometown Elazığ. He received his bachelor's degree from Near East University, Department of International Relations and his master's degree from Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences.
He started to work at the Presidency of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency in 2011 and was appointed as Advisor to the Prime Minister in 2014.
Between 2011 and 2018, he worked as the Chief of Staff at TIKA. As of November 2018, he was appointed as Vice President of the Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). He is the Vice President of the Federation of Traditional Sports Branches of Turkey. He continues to work actively in the international arena in many NGOs.
Abdulhadi Turus, who is married and has 2 children, speaks English and German.
 

 
 
 

Board of Directors Member

Ana Claudia Collado Garcia

Born in Mexico City ,  former athlete in the traditional sport of Uarhukua Chanakua. She has developed her professional career as a social leader specializing in the development of projects for engagement and cooperation with non-governmental civil organizations and national and international inter-institutional relations.

Since 2017, she has held the position of President of the Mexican Federation of Indigenous and Traditional Games and Sports (FMJDAT), the highest governing body for these disciplines in Mexico and the official link with the government of Mexico. Currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Mexican Sports Confederation (CODEME), an institution that brings together all sports federations in the country. Since 2021, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the World Ethnosport Confederation (WEC). She has also been part of the Directive Council of the National Sports System (SINADE), which is the planning and decision-making body of the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport of Mexico (CONADE).

Radio announcer and the author of various editorial publications on the subjects of sports, culture, and the traditions of indigenous peoples in Mexico. 

She has received numerous awards for her work in this field, including the National Women in Sports Award (2007), granted by the National Institute for Women and the Youth Institute, the Olmec Wrestler Award (2013), presented by the Mexican Sports Confederation, and the Sports Merit Medal (2020), awarded by the Legislative Assembly of Mexico City, among others.

 

Board of Directors Member

Bilal Topçu

He was born in 1981 in Üsküdar. After studying at Kartal Anatolian Imam Hatip High School, Topçu completed his undergraduate degree at Sakarya University, Department of Economics. He completed his master's degree at Istanbul Medeniyet University, Department of Public Administration with the thesis "R&D Project Evaluation Process in Technoparks" and completed his second master's programme at Istanbul Commerce University,
 

Mr Topçu worked as a Regional Manager in Buffalo, NY-Washington, DC-Minneapolis, MN and Dallas, TX respectively in a private company in the USA for 3 years, then as Import and Wholesale Manager in Hoston, TX, the company headquarters, and then returned to Turkey and worked as a Manager and Finance Manager in chain market and automotive sector companies. Between 2016-2018, he served as Advisor to the Minister of Family and Social Policies. In addition to his experience in Ankara, he gained a wide range of international experience with numerous meetings and visits from the United Nations General Assembly to Myanmar Refugee Camps. Since September 2018, he has been working as the General Manager of Teknopark Istanbul AŞ.


His political career started in 2009 as the Deputy Provincial President of Istanbul Youth Branches. In the 2011 General Elections, he served as Istanbul 1st District MP candidate, Istanbul Provincial Executive Board Member and 1st District Organisation Chairman between 2012-2015.
Topçu, who is a member of the Board of Directors of the World Ethnosport Confederation and Istanbul Commerce University Board of Trustees, is married and has 2 children.
 

 
 

Board of Directors Member

İbrahim Yumaklı

Born in 1969 in Kastamonu, İbrahim Yumaklı graduated from Bakırköy Imam Hatip High School and then from Uludağ University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Business Administration in 1992.  
Mr Yumaklı started his career as an import operations specialist at Marshall Boya A.Ş. in 1993 and worked as a manager in the financial groups of Marshall Boya A.Ş. and affiliated group companies within Akzo Nobel Turkey until 2011. In 2011, he started working at Aljazeera Turkey. Between 2012 and 2015, he managed the TV channel owned by Aljazeera Turkey. Between January and October 2016, he served as Anadolu Agency International Operations Director. 
Since October 2016, he has served as General Manager and Executive Board Member at GÜBRETAŞ and was appointed as Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry with the Official Gazette published on Thursday, 7 April 2022.

 

Board of Directors Member

İlhan Altun

He was born in 1987 in Istanbul. He completed his undergraduate education in Physics / Business Administration in Turkey and abroad. He completed his master's degree in Business Management (MBA) at Yıldız Technical University. He has worked as a manager in different sectors in the USA, Australia and Turkey. Since 2014, he has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of United Group. Altun, who is interested in horse riding and theatre, is fluent in English.

 

 

Board of Directors Member

Osman Başer

Born in 1993 in Istanbul, he is originally from Aksekil, Antalya. Mr Başer studied business administration at Istanbul University and continues to work as a senior executive in the companies within his family. He has been to Hong Kong for educational and commercial activities and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the New Turkey Education Foundation. Mr Başer is fluent in English.
He is married and has 1 child.


 

 
 

Board of Directors Member

Ravil Nogumanov

Ravil Uelovich Nogumanov was born in 1968 in Tatarstan. He is married and has 4 children. He is a Master of sports of Russia in swimming and actively participates in swimming competitions of the "MASTERS" category: he is a Russian, European and the World champion, as well as a World record holder, he also has 4 European records and 27 Russian records.

Ravil graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture. Received the diploma of St. Petersburg University of Engineering and Economics. Defended his dissertation for the degree of Ph.D. in Economics for the topic: "Sports services infrastructure management". He is a senior researcher at the Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Awarded with the honorary title of "The Honored Worker of Physical Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan"

 

Ravil Nogumanov participated in the organization and holding of major international events:

• Davis Cup, The World Cup of Tennis (2011, 2017)

• APEC International Economic Summit (2012)

• FISU World University Games (tennis, badminton) (2013)

• FIE World Fencing Championship (2014)

• FINA World Aquatics Championship (2015)

• Badminton Europe, European Badminton Championship (2016)

 

Ravil Nogumanov also has the following honorary awards:

• Gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin (2013)

• Medal of the "FINA MASTERS" International Association (2015)

• Medal "For Sporting Achievements" of the II degree from the All-Russian Swimming Federation (2017)

• Gratitude of the Co-Chairs of the Russian Union of Martial Arts (2018, 2019):

- Sergey Kiriyenko, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Executive Office 

- Yuri Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation  

• Certificate of Honor of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan (2018)

 

Board of Directors Member

Samed Ağırbaş

Samed Ağırbaş is an author, artist, entrepreneur and youth leader. Born in 1994 in Istanbul, he is a graduate of Architecture and Urban Planning, and is continuing his studies in business at Mississippi State University and College of William & Mary. Since the age of 15, he has actively participated in various Turkish and international NGOs, associations, foundations, and platforms as a founder, chairman, and member of youth activities. In this context, he took  part in various activities held within the scope of the 2010 European Capital of Culture, and  he contributed to the event as a member of the Field Coordination Team of the Volunteering  Program of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

In 2011, he established the High School Entrepreneurship Club concept and signed a protocol with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education and various public institutions.  Within the scope of the pilot scheme initiated in Istanbul, an Entrepreneurship Club was  founded in every high school in Istanbul, and more than 10,804 events were organized within  a year. Following that, the project's success attracted the attention of the Ministry of National Education. The Ministry sent a circular to all the high schools across Türkiye to establish Entrepreneurship Clubs. Today, there are more than 3000 Entrepreneurship Clubs in Türkiye.

Elected as the Chairman of the Youth Assembly of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 2014, Ağırbaş also presided over the Youth Assembly of the Turkish Union of Municipalities and the Youth Working Group of the World Humanitarian Summit. He played an active role in the organization of the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in Türkiye and coordinated the  official Youth Pre-Forum during the WHS, where he chaired a drafting committee to author  and adopt the Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action. As the Government of Türkiye’s youth representative to the Habitat III summit, organized every 20 years by the United Nations, he participated in various international events held by the UN, OECD, and EU as a speaker and a moderator. He has attended numerous national and international trainings, research events, and seminars. He has been granted many national and international awards for his active contribution to youth, entrepreneurship, and education.

In addition to his book titled Gece Gündüz İstanbul (Night and Day Istanbul), made up of photographs he took and published in English and Turkish, and his academic work titled Osmanlı Mimarisinde Tezyinat- Mimar Sinan’ın Eserleri (Decoration in Ottoman Architecture – Works of Architect Sinan), he has published many articles on youth, city, culture, and art. He is currently working as a youth expert for UN-Habitat.

 
 

Board of Directors Member

Zeliha Sağlam

She graduated from International Islamic University Malaysia, Department of Political Science and International Relations. After her undergraduate education, she completed her master's degree at Marmara University Institute of Middle Eastern Studies.


Between 2007-2014, she worked as a researcher in international non-governmental organisations. In 2014, she worked as Projects and Foreign Services Coordinator, Projects and Foreign Services Manager, and TDV Strategy and R&D Manager at the Turkish Religious Foundation. She worked on International Project Management, EFQM Excellence Model and strategic plans of organisations.


In addition to her working life, she was the president of the "Malaysian Islamic University Turkey Alumni Association" from 2012 to 2015. While taking part in many projects for educational activities, especially for women and children, she also took part in various humanitarian aid projects. She took part in the organising committee of many national and international meetings on human rights and refugees.


She worked as Minister Counsellor at the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services. Sağlam, who started to work as Minister Counselor at the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services of the Republic of Turkey, was appointed as the Head of Strategy Development at the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services of the Republic of Turkey in 2019 with the blessings of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and was appointed as the General Director of Child Services in January 2021.

 

She is currently the president of the African Handicrafts and Culture House Association, which works under the auspices of Mrs Emine Erdoğan. She speaks English fluently.
 

 
 
 

Board of Directors Member

Zeynep Safiye Baki Nalcıoğlu

She was born in 1987 in Kastamonu. She graduated from Ondokuz Mayıs University, Department of Turkish Language and Literature in 2010. She completed her master's degree in Gazi University Turkish Folklore department in 2014, her master's degree without thesis in Ankara University Interdisciplinary Museum Education department in 2018, and her PhD in Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University Turkish Folklore department in 2020. Baki Nalcıoğlu, who works as a Doctoral Faculty Member in the Department of Turkish Folklore at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, also continues to work as the centre director at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University Traditional Sports and Games Application and Research Centre.
 

 
 
 

Board of Directors Member

Ali Khatem Mohammad Al-Mehshadi

 

Mr. Ali bin Khatem Al-Mehshadi was born in 1968 in Doha, Qatar. Majored in administration and accounting, Al-Mehshadi held several positions in the Ministry of Municipality in Qatar since 1990, mainly, his current position as an advisor in the Minister's office. Mr. Al-Mehshadi is also a lifelong avid falconer with deep passion to promote traditional, sustainable hunting.

In 2010, Al-Mehashi has been appointed as the president of the organising committee of Qatar's International Falcon and Hunting Festival (Marmi), which he has led for 15 years. In 2012, Al-Mehshadi became the president and chairperson of Al-Gannas Qatari Society, which is the national association for falconry in Qatar. Throughout his career, Mr. Al-Mehshadi has transformed the traditional aspects of falconry into a regulated sport in Qatar, which has a wide base locally, regionally, and internationally. He has also worked with international partners to promote falconry sports and unite The rules and regulations to bring different cultures and countries together.

Mr. Al-Mehshadi has also advocated for the utilization of cutting-edge scientific research and veterinary medicine to conserve falcons and preserve falconry.

 
 

Board of Directors Member

Aleksandr Kim-Kimen

 

 
 

Board of Directors Member

Cengiz Toksöz

He was born in 1978 in Istanbul. After completing his associate degree in Finance at Trakya University, he graduated from Anadolu University, Faculty of Business Administration. He completed his master's degree in International Relations and Politics at Nişantaşı University. Toksöz, who has been active in Non-Governmental Organisations for many years, is currently serving as the founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Traditional Turkish Archery Federation of Turkey.

 

 
 
 

Board of Directors Member

Ekrem Enes Duman

He received his BSc and MSc in Business Informatics from the Technical University of Brunswick (TU Braunschweig) in Germany. Subsequently, he worked as a research assistant in the field of IT Management at the Stuttgart institute of Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Europe's largest applied science research and development community. He is currently engaged in trade, especially in the field of informatics. He speaks German and English. He is married and has one child.
 

 

Board of Directors Member

Hüseyin Keskin

He was born in 1973 in Istanbul. After graduating from Pertevniyal High School, Keskin completed his undergraduate studies at Boğaziçi University, Department of Mathematics. After completing his master's degree at Marmara University, Department of Business Administration, Keskin continues his doctoral studies in the field of finance at the same university.

After serving as a senior executive in various organisations such as THY, TAV and IDO, Keskin served as the Chief Executive Officer of İGA Airports Authority. Keskin is also interested in traditional sports and actively practices the Chinese traditional martial art of Wing Chun (Sifu, 4 TG) and the traditional Philippines defence art of Escrima (2 TG). In July 2019, Keskin was appointed as the General Directorate and Chairman of the Board of Directors of State Airports Authority and he continues to serve in this position.

Mr Keskin is married. He has 2 children and is fluent in English.

 
 

Board of Directors Member

Komo Okuyama

Born in 1940 in Tokyo. He graduated from International  Christian University in Political Science and Economics. In addition, he studied at Universidad Autonoma de Mexico and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Then, he had a contract with ADELA Investment Company to work as an Investment Officer for Latin American Countries. Terminating the work with ADELA, he joined Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industry Co. Ltd.(IHI)  and he was in charge of Representative for Latin America and European Countries. Then, he established his private company K.K. Kamakura Associates in Kamakura.

In addition He is Vice-President of The Japan Equestrian Archery Association (YABUSAME) and Managing Director・Secretary General of the La Asociacion KW (Association Supporting Andian Archeology).

 
 

Board of Directors Member

Mustafa Sarımermer

Born in 1980 in Istanbul, he graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University, Department of International Relations and completed his master's degree in Business Management (MBA) at Yıldız Technical University. Sarımermer is a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of companies operating in the real estate and carpet sectors. Mr Sarımermer is a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Basketball Federation and is fluent in English.

 
 

Board of Directors Member

Mustafa Eröğüt

Mustafa Eroğüt, who graduated from Ithaca College, USA with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Management Concentration and a Master's degree in Business Management, Sports Management Concentration (MBA), has been an active sports manager at the senior level for 16 years and has been continuing his social responsibility activities in sports and youth organisations. Starting his career as Administrative Coordinator at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Youth Development Academy, Eröğüt worked as Administrative Manager of IBB Professional Football Team, BAKER TILLY GÜRELİ Audit Assistant, Director and Deputy Director of Football at the Football Development Department of the Turkish Football Federation, and Deputy Secretary General of the Turkish Clubs Association. Eröğüt is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Acıbadem Healthcare Group, a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Esports Federation and Asbaskan of Istanbul Başakşehir Football Club. He is also a member of UEFA Youth and Amateur Football Committee.
 

 
 

Board of Directors Member

Rabiya Kazak

She was born in 1985 in Manisa. She graduated from Marmara University Ready-to-Wear Clothing Teaching and Istanbul University Sociology Department. She completed her master's degree in Non-Governmental Organisations and Social Responsibility Management programme at Istanbul University.
Since 2007, Kazak has been actively involved in Non-Governmental Organisations and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Youth Foundation of Turkey. Since 2008, she has been working on Quality Management and Process Development.
 

 
 
 

General Secretary

Abdulhalim Aksu

Born in 1982 in Istanbul. He had his undergraduate education on Management in the USA. Aksu acted as a manager for various non-governmental organizations such as Youth  Academy and Democratic Youth Platform. He served as the general manager of Sports Istanbul. Currently, he is the Secretary General of the World Ethnosport Confederation.