32 successful archers from 16 countries have competed in Okmeydanı, Istanbul, as part of the Kemankeş (Archer) Project, launched by the Archers' Foundation and Yunus Emre Institute to promote the traditional Turkish archery in the international arena and raise new athletes. In the finals held on October 19, Azharul Abdulaziz and Erina Emelina Esmail from Malaysia got the first place while Ahsen Gazel Er and Aytaç Emre Bingül secured the secured the second place and Almina Baralija and Faruk Veledar from Bosnia-Herzegovina had the third place. A ceremony was held and the winning archers were presented their medals.

The award-winning archers in the World Mix Finals of the Kemankeş Project were given their medals by Environment and Urban Planning Minister Murat Kurum, Founding Member of the Board of Trustees of the Archers' Foundation Bilal Erdoğan, Head of the Archers' Foundation and Chief Adviser to President Haydar Ali Yıldız, and Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş. Esenler Mayor M. Tevfik Göksu and Beyoğlu Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan also attended the event.

"Yunus Emre Institute and the Archers' Foundation promote Turkey abroad"

Environment and Urban Planning Minister Murat Kurum delivered the keynote speech during the event. "Here, there are two important aspects. The first one is what our Archers' Foundation does at home and abroad. The second one is that students learn the Turkish language and culture via Yunus Emre Institute in 56 countries. This is an opportunity for the world countries to learn about Turkey. They have a chance to get know our ancestors. In fact, this is a large-scale tourism event across the world. They represent our country abroad. In this regard, the mission is significant. Besides, the Archers' Foundation has assumed a major role in promoting our traditional sports across Turkey. We need to transfer our culture, identity, customs, traditions, religion and past to future generations. The Archers' Foundation has assumed a major role not only in supporting a sports activity, but also in keeping our culture alive," he said.

"This is the first time we use sports as a tool of diplomacy"

Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş indicated that the Institute promotes the language and culture of Turkey in 56 cultural centers in different countries around the world. "Our primary mission is to enhance Turkey's prestige and recognition. We have introduced this project to use sports as a tool of diplomacy for promoting Turkey's spiritual values abroad. The project is successful in that it is implemented in diverse countries around the globe. We will continue to improve the project. Next year, we will expand it to include 25 countries. As a rising civilization, we are deploying our friendship and fraternity to the world with the Archers' Lodge," he said.

"Today we are crowning the spread of our culture with the gentlemen's race"

Head of the Archers' Foundation and Chief Adviser to President Haydar Ali Yıldız also delivered a speech during the ceremony. "Thanks to the cooperation we made with Yunus Emre Institute one year ago, an event was launched to include the young people in particular for the promotion of the values of our civilization all around the world. Our sisters and brothers from diverse countries have received training on traditional Turkish archery and have been equipped with bows and arrows. In different countries, they have transferred what they have learned to others. Today we are crowning the spread of our culture with the gentlemen's race. As the grandchildren of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, we continue to spread the civilization journey built in line with his vision to the world. We have been mobilized to rebuild the civilization and raise the local and national youth. We are spreading our civilization and culture all around the world," he said.

"We are working with Yunus Emre Institute to promote the traditional Turkish archery all around the world.

Founding Member of the Board of Trustees of the Archers' Foundation Bilal Erdoğan delivered a speech, stressing that the Archers' Lodge is located at the very center of the city and has unique architectural and cultural characteristics. This place has regained its former glory. Not only the monument has been revived, but also sports, culture and archery have been revitalized. The number of certified archers has increased by six times during the six years since its opening. Under the Kemankeş (Archer) Project, we are working with Yunus Emre Institute to promote the traditional Turkish archery all around the world. We are providing training of trainers. Every trainer we trained can train thousands of people elsewhere. I hear that Yunus Emre Institute can easily recruit prospective archers in all countries. We have issued certificates in Amman and Belgrade. In this way, the traditional Turkish archery is added to the world's heritage. I would like to thank Yunus Emre Institute for its harmonious work," he said.

Kemankeş Project to be expanded to 25 countries in 2019

The Kemankeş (Archer) Project was launched jointly by Yunus Emre Institute and the Archers' Foundation in 2017 with the aim of studying and promoting the historical, sportive, artistic, cultural and educational characteristics of the traditional Turkish archery and raising archers in this field for contributing to intercultural dialogue. In its first year, the project was implemented in Yunus Emre Institute's branches in Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Morocco, Palestine, Iran, Japan, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Lebanon, Malaysia, Egypt, Poland, Serbia, Sudan, and Jordan.

32 athletes who were shortlisted from among 600 people through competitions held in the traditional Turkish archery courses in these countries were given special training according to the competition procedures of the traditional Turkish archery at Istanbul branch of the Archers' Foundation. They also attended the world mix finals, held on October 19.

Following the program, the athletes will return to their home where they will work as trainers at the traditional Turkish archery and act as its promoters. The project will include 25 countries in 2019. In addition, the Kemankeş (Archer) Turkish Archery Exhibition will be held in Beijing between October 26 and November 4, 2018. A friendly match will be held between Turkish and Chinese athletes to promote cultural ties between Turkey and China.