TUNCELI, Turkey – Paddlers are getting ready for the World Rafting Federation’s Senior World Championships to take place in Turkey’s Tunceli province in June.
“We came from Colemerg [Hakkari] to participate in the World Rafting Championship. We are in Dersim, the hometown of [Kurdish rebel] Said Raza,” said Jaafar Duman, a racer from Colemerg, using the former name of Tunceli, a province in the Kurdish-populated east. Said Raza was an Alevi Kurdish chieftain who led an uprising against the Turkish government in the 1930s.
“Our goal is to be the first or second in this competition. Water for Kurds is important because it represents freedom and cannot be prevented. We will fight to represent our team in the best way,” said Duman.
Almost 1,000 domestic and foreign athletes will attend the event that kicks off on June 8.
The Turkish Rafting Federation, in cooperation with the province, built a semi-artificial whitewater stadium on the Munzur River for the event.
“Tunceli has a very ancient history with a very colourful culture. The River Munzur is a symbol of the city and its culture,” said Governor Tuncay Sonel in an open invitation to competitors and spectators. “Let us paddle like a crazy on the River Munzur and race together in sportsmanship and friendship.”
Teams are already training on the course in preparation for the races.
Reporting by Hemin Assaf