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METU Sport Communities

METU Student Sports Communities

At Middle East Technical University, the spirit of organization and sharing responsibility is also reflected in sports.

The first student sports communities started in the 1960s with Mountaineering & Winter Sports and Scouting. After 1982, other communities such as Chess, Bridge, Taekwondo, Capoeira, Motorsports, Karate, Underwater Sports, Lifesaving & First Aid, Outdoor Sports, and Ballroom Dancing were established. More recently, communities such as Hip-Hop, Golf, and Fitness have joined, making the total number of student sports communities around 20 today.

Many sports disciplines recognized worldwide are represented at METU. Although these communities are run by students in an amateur spirit, their events often reach the quality of professional organizations. They bring vitality to university life and provide students with valuable social and personal development opportunities.

By being involved in these communities, students not only practice and teach a sport but also learn how to organize events creatively, work together toward a shared goal, and take responsibility — all of which contribute to their maturity and personal growth.

To join a sports community, students should contact the community directly, attend introduction meetings, and get involved in the process.

General Directive for METU Sports Communities

Conditions for Establishing a Community

Applications to establish a new sports community must be submitted to the METU Directorate of Sports between May 1–31 each academic year. The results are announced by the end of November of the following academic year.

Conditions for founding a new community:

  • If there is no existing community working in the same field, a new one may be approved.
  • Submission of the community’s constitution in line with its aims.
  • A petition from the proposed academic advisor confirming acceptance of the role.
  • A Board of Directors list (3–7 full members and substitutes) with signatures.
  • A membership list of at least 20 students including full names, department, year, and student number, with signatures.
  • A project file including the planned activities.
  • Written approval for a community office/room from the relevant department or unit authority (if applicable).

METU Student Sports Communities (with contacts)

METU Aikido Community

Activity & Purpose:
With more than 200 members including a Children’s Aikido group, METU Aikido is the largest dojo in Turkey. Many members attend national and international Aikido seminars every year. Nearly half of the community members are women, challenging the stereotype that martial arts are not attractive to women. The aim is to promote Aikido, raise technically advanced and ethical athletes, and support children’s physical, social, and psychological development. The community follows the style and principles of Tamura Shihan and Nebi Vural Sensei. Every year, two international seminars are organized, including the Eurasia Aikido Festival, which hosts around 300 participants from 20 countries annually.

President: Deniz Kaan Yazıcı
Email: denizkaanyy@gmail.com
Phone: +90 542 235 32 95
Web: odtuaikido.org
Social Media: Facebook/Instagram: @odtuaikido

METU Equestrian Community

Instagram: @biniciliktoplulugu
Presidents:

METU Bridge Community

Activity & Purpose:
Learning and improving contract bridge, participating in national and international tournaments.

President: Eren Güneş – e231198@metu.edu.tr – +90 531 922 63 16

METU Ice Sports Community

Presidents:

METU Lifesaving & First Aid Community (OCİT)

Activity & Purpose:
Raising awareness about lifesaving and first aid among students. The community organizes courses (basic, advanced, outdoor, trainer formation), conducts pool-based Bronze and Silver Lifeguard trainings, participates in swimming competitions, and volunteers at races as first-aiders.

Executive Board Contacts:
Arman Ayten – arman.ayten@metu.edu.tr
Beyza Çolak – colak.beyza@metu.edu.tr
Efe Nacar – efe.nacar@metu.edu.tr
Gökçennur Ünlüer – gokcennur.unluer@metu.edu.tr
Pelin Karabacak – pelin.karabacak@metu.edu.tr

Office: METU Sports Center, 1st Floor
Web: ocit.metu.edu.tr
Social Media: IG: @o.c.i.t | Twitter: @odtu_ocit | FB: ocitmetu

METU Capoeira Community

Activity & Purpose:
The community aims to teach and spread the sport of Capoeira, adapt it for stage performances, and promote Brazilian culture. They organize workshops on campus and represent METU in various national and international events.

Presidents:

Social Media: Instagram: @capoeira_metu

METU Mountaineering & Winter Sports Club (DKSK)

Activity & Purpose:
The club promotes all kinds of outdoor sports (mountaineering, skiing, caving, hiking, camping, scientific expeditions, etc.) in an amateur spirit with a scientific approach. Their aim is to strengthen the human–nature relationship for mutual benefit, within a democratic and organized structure.
Activities run year-round, in all natural conditions, focusing on building technical skills required for different terrains and seasons. The club views all outdoor sports as complementary and encourages their practice together. Skiing is also seen as part of this philosophy, with members representing METU in amateur ski competitions.

Presidents:

Office: Student Community Barracks
Web: dksk.metu.edu.tr
Social Media: Instagram: @odtudksk

METU Sailing & Maritime Community (ODYT)

Activity & Purpose:
The main aim is to introduce students to sailing and to represent METU in competitions. Sailing develops both physical strength and mental skills such as quick problem-solving, coordination, and teamwork. The community gives beginner training sessions in dinghy sailing (Laser boats) and yacht sailing (week-long trips). They regularly participate in inter-university and private regattas. Depending on sponsorship, they plan to expand activities, increase the number of trophies and races entered, and organize summer/winter sailing trips like other universities in Istanbul.

President: Egehan Karpuz – egehan.karpuz@metu.edu.tr – +90 541 813 81 12
Social Media: Instagram: @odtudyt | Facebook: odtudyt

METU E-Sports Community

Activity & Purpose:
The main goal is to participate in national and international e-sports tournaments and represent METU. Other aims include introducing e-sports and video games to students, organizing social activities for gamers, playing together, and developing tactical and strategic thinking.

President: Canberk Binbay – c.binbay1993@gmail.com – +90 536 500 25 11
Web: www.metuesports.com
Social Media: Instagram: @metuesports

METU Ballroom Dancing Community (EDT)

Activity & Purpose:
Founded in 1988, METU Ballroom Dancing Community is the first ballroom dancing community in Turkey. It has pioneered the development of ballroom dancing nationwide and contributed significantly to the sport’s progress. Many prominent dancers, competition judges, and dance school founders in Turkey started their careers at METU EDT.

The community organizes two major annual events:

  1. End of Year Show (May): Held at the Culture & Convention Center Kemal Kurdaş Hall, it attracts around 4,000 spectators every year with unique themes.
  2. International METU Open – Republic Cup Dance Competition (October/November): Established in 2001, this prestigious event now hosts 400+ dancers from 20 countries and over 5,000 spectators annually, ranking among the world’s top 10 international competitions in recent years.

President: Sevde Nur Altınbaş – sevdenuraltinbas@gmail.com – +90 530 245 37 13
Office: 9th Dorm – Communities Corridor
Web: eslidanslar.metu.edu.tr
Social Media: Facebook/Instagram: @odtueslidanslar

METU Fitness Community

Social Media: Instagram: @metu.fitness

Presidents:

METU Golf Community

Social Media: Instagram: @odtugolftoplulugu

Presidents:

METU Hip-Hop Community

Social Media: Instagram: @obc_family

Presidents:

METU Scouting Community

Activity & Purpose:
Since its foundation in 1986, the community has worked to spread scouting, a worldwide youth movement, to as many people as possible within METU. Their priority is to raise members as socially responsible individuals with scouting awareness. They organize camps and activities year-round. Trained members gain survival and camping skills, while social responsibility projects aim to raise awareness among both students and the wider community.

Leaders:

  • Leader: Melisa Yalçın – +90 539 496 84 84
  • Assistant Leaders:
    • Nur Sima Acar – +90 553 257 29 40
    • Ülkü Şenyürek – +90 536 645 52 16
    • Yusuf Güngör – +90 507 998 57 90

Office: Communities Corridor, under Dorm 9
Web: izci.metu.edu.tr
Social Media: Facebook: @odtuizcileri | Instagram: @odtuizcigrubu

METU Aviation Community – Paragliding Group (HAT)

Activity & Purpose:
Founded in 1991, the Paragliding Group of the METU Aviation Community has been active for more than 25 years. It was the first institution in Turkey to provide paragliding training and continues to do so today. Each year, about 300 students attend theoretical training; those who successfully complete ground practice proceed to beginner flights. The group’s main aim is to promote paragliding and make it accessible to METU students.

Presidents:

Web: odtuhat.com
Social Media: @ODTUHAT

METU Jugglers Community (OJT)

Activity & Purpose:
As the only active university juggling community in Turkey, METU Jugglers aim to add color to campus life through performances, organize workshops on juggling and flow arts, and represent the university by performing at different events to promote contemporary circus arts.

President: Berk Akgün – akgunberk@yahoo.com – +90 506 440 78 22
Web: Facebook Group
Social Media: Instagram: @metujuggling

METU Motorsports and Traffic Community (MOST)

Activity & Purpose:
Our aim is to bring together people interested in motorsports, provide training opportunities, and create facilities within METU for motorsports. The community also aims to train young drivers, raise awareness about traffic, and represent the university in this field.

President:
Başak Elgin – bskelgn00@gmail.com – +90 553 296 75 97

Office: METU Campus – Communities Building
Web: odtumost.com

METU SAS (Underwater Sports Community)

Activity & Purpose:
METU SAS represents both the student community and METU Sports Club underwater sports teams. Besides providing training, the community organizes various activities to promote underwater sports in Turkey.

METU SAS has several competitive teams: Freediving, Underwater Hockey, Underwater Rugby, and Underwater Imaging. These teams are officially registered under the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation (TSSF).

Our athletes regularly achieve national and international successes, including world records, bringing championships to METU.

President:
Mehmet Barış Atıcı – m.barisatici@gmail.com – +90 534 620 17 12

Office: METU Indoor Swimming Pool
Web: sas.metu.edu.tr
Social Media: Instagram: @odtusas

METU Diving Community (SAT)

Activity & Purpose:
Founded in 1985, METU SAT (Diving Community) focuses on the research, protection, and promotion of Turkey’s coastal and inland waters’ historical, cultural, and natural heritage.

Activities include basic and advanced diving courses, search and rescue training, ecological studies, archaeological explorations, and underwater photography competitions. The community also pioneered major projects such as the Mediterranean Monk Seal Protection Project and Turkey’s first underwater photography contest SAGAY.

Executive Board Members: Atahan Önaçan, Gökalp Deniz Sinangil, Alperen Bayram, Semih Altuğ Aydoğdu, Derin Doğan, Yiğit Can Çelik
Emails: atahanonacan@gmail.com | derin.dogan@metu.edu.tr | semih54aydogdu@gmail.com | celik.yigit@metu.edu.tr | gokalp.sinangil@metu.edu.tr

Phone: +90 538 219 26 16
Office: Technopolis Sports Center – Basement Floor
Web: sat.metu.edu.tr
Social Media: Facebook: odtusat | Instagram: @odtusat

METU Chess Community

Activity & Purpose:
The Chess Community is responsible for promoting, teaching, and organizing chess tournaments at METU. Regular activities include:

  • Chess lessons for all levels
  • Weekly and term chess tournaments
  • Monthly chess magazine featuring annotated games
  • Preparing university and league teams, as well as individual competitions

Mission: To promote chess as a lifelong hobby, a friend, and a discipline based on ethics, rationality, and sportsmanship.

President & Vice Presidents:

Office: Communities Corridor, under Dorm 9
Social Media:
Instagram: @odtusatranctoplulugu
Facebook: ODTÜ Satranç

 

 

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