An exemplary story was shared by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality on December 3rd World Disability Day. Physically disabled Evren Mutlu created her own success story in boccia, a sport she started in an amateur sports club. Despite insufficient opportunities and physical difficulties, Mutlu's paths crossed with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality after a while. As a result of the support and opportunities here, Mutlu became a national team player and won many Turkish championships, setting an example by overcoming obstacles.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality shared a success story on December 3rd World Disability Day. Evren Mutlu, a member of the boccia team consisting of athletes with various disability groups of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Sports Club and Disability Studies Branch Directorate, sets an example for many disabled individuals with her determination and success. Evren Mutlu, who was introduced to boccia in 2010 through an amateur sports club operating in Buca, started the sport by ignoring her family's concerns, then realized that she could not move the ball because she could not use her hands. Mutlu, who needed a ramp to roll the ball, started training by preparing a ramp out of cardboard with the support of her teacher. Mutlu, who overcame the obstacles she encountered one by one, joined the boccia team founded by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in 2013. Focusing more on her career with the support and opportunities provided here, the athlete rose to the national team and won many Turkish championship medals. Evren Mutlu, who aimed for new medals with her teammates, created her own universe by overcoming obstacles.
They folded cardboard to make a ramp
Evren Mutlu's mother Meliha Mutlu stated that her son was always at home before he started sports and said, “One day, he heard that a boccia branch would be established for the disabled. We said 'no' but he played in an amateur sports club for a while. The opportunities in the sports club were very limited. His teacher made a ramp by folding cardboard so Evren could work. He then started playing in the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. May God bless him a thousand times, the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and all the teachers have contributed to him.” Meliha Mutlu, who said that Evren's determination also played a role in this success, said, “This sport has become a joy for him. He eagerly awaits the matches and trainings. He has become a social person and has gained self-confidence after sports. He has also developed physically. We can now understand his speech better.”
“All our children held on to life”
Meliha Mutlu mostly attends Evren Mutlu's training and matches. But she explained that even though she cannot go herself, her son sets off on the road on his own. Mutlu said, "When I am not around, Evren goes to training on his own. He gets on the bus on his own. This sport has been very good for my son. Our club and our teachers support our children and take care of us. All our children have held on to life. They were locked up at home, so they went out thanks to this."
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality took the lead
Speaking about the boccia branch and the work of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in this branch, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Boccia Coach Feride İnce emphasized that boccia is a special branch that touches the lives of the disabled by combining strategy, sensitivity and team spirit. Pointing out that the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has pioneered this branch by bringing it to many different cities in Turkey, İnce stated that the boccia branch, which has grown with the cooperation of the Disabled Studies Department and the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Sports Club, has brought countless Turkish championships and national athletes to Izmir.
Evren's career is a success story
Stating that Evren Mutlu started this branch without much support from his environment, İnce said, “Evren came here as someone who was not believed to be capable, but his determination and perseverance set an example for many athletes. When he first started the sport, he did not have any equipment. He would work out with cardboard ramps that he prepared at home. Evren became one of the first national team athletes with the establishment of the branch within the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and the material support of our municipality. Now he has many Turkish championships. Evren's career is a success story. Boccia is very useful for hand and eye coordination and concentration. We also observe visible differences in Evren. We are preparing Evren and his teammates for the Turkish Championship. At the same time, we are preparing athletes for the national team. Our future goal is the Paralympic Games.”
