The Ata Farm (BAKAP), which was brought to the Gölbaşı district by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and has become one of the capital's important recreation areas, hosted an exciting event in cooperation with the Turkish Orienteering Federation. The first stage of the Bicycle Orienteering Turkish Championship was held on the wide and natural tracks of the Ata Farm between April 24-26. 143 athletes from all over Türkiye demonstrated both their physical condition and map reading skills in a fierce competition against time.
A Challenging Course Intertwined with Nature
The course set up among the rich vegetation and natural beauties of Ata Farm created an ideal ground for bicycle orienteering. While athletes tried to reach the designated checkpoints as quickly as possible with the help of maps in their hands, they also coped with the difficulties of pedaling and choosing the right route. This first stage, which was attended by athletes of all ages, was an unforgettable experience for both experienced orienteers and those new to this exciting sport.
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality's Support for Sports Emphasized
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Youth and Sports Services Department Sports Services Branch Manager Sercan Yiğit, in his statement regarding the event, emphasized the municipality's uninterrupted support for sports and athletes. Yiğit expressed his pleasure in hosting the first stage of this important championship and expressed his happiness in hosting athletes from all over Turkey in Ankara.
Praise from the Federation President to the Ata Farm
Turkish Orienteering Federation President Atilla Güler thanked Ankara Metropolitan Municipality for their contributions to the successful organization. Güler stated that organizing bicycle orienteering competitions, which have not been held for many years in an area with natural beauty such as Ata Çiftliği, meant a lot to them. Expressing that the athletes also enjoyed competing in such natural environments, Güler announced that the athletes who won would be taken to the national team camp to prepare for future international competitions.
Critical Stage for National Team Selections
Ekrem Deniz, the Event Director of the Championship, also noted that the Ata Farm stage will play an important role in shaping the national bicycle orienteering team. Deniz praised the ideal conditions offered by the Ata Farm for bicycle orienteering, adding that the following stages will continue in the forested area of Hacettepe University.
This first stage of the Turkish Bicycle Orienteering Championship brought together both the excitement of sports and the beauty of nature, providing enjoyable moments for participants and spectators. Such events, which are held with the support of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality for sports, continue to make important contributions to the spread of sports and the discovery of young talents.
