Key points
- Turkish champion shares journey from village to world stage
- Calls training Pakistani youth an honour and privilege
- Proposes wrestling academy to harness Pakistan’s sporting talent.
ISLAMABAD: In a display of sportsmanship and cross-cultural camaraderie, five-time World Champion and twelve-time European Champion wrestler Rıza Kayaalp has expressed a heartfelt desire to mentor young Pakistani wrestlers and help shape them into world-class athletes.
Speaking at “Meet the Press” session at the National Press Club Islamabad, Kayaalp — hailed as one of wrestling’s modern greats — shared his personal journey from humble beginnings in a rural Turkish village to the pinnacle of international wrestling.
Flanked by Dr. Abdul Rahman Akkoç, Religious Affairs Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy, and Dr. Alam Khan, Deputy Counsellor and Spokesperson, Kayaalp called the opportunity to train Pakistani youth “an honour.”
“Wrestling isn’t just a sport — it’s a test of discipline, precision, and survival. One misstep can cost you dearly, even in jest,” he remarked. Yet despite its risks, he believes Pakistan’s energetic and passionate youth, if properly nurtured, could rise to dominate the global stage.
Kayaalp’s proposal resonated deeply with local leaders, prompting Azhar Jatoi, President of the National Press Club, to suggest the creation of a dedicated wrestling academy in Pakistan under Kayaalp’s mentorship, to channel this vision into reality.
Charity beyond borders
The event also highlighted humanitarian ties between Türkiye and Pakistan. Dr. Akkoç spotlighted the work of Diyanet, Türkiye’s major religious and relief organisation, which operates in 81 countries across the globe. He announced that this Eid-ul-Adha, Diyanet will sacrifice 4,500 animals in 16 cities across Pakistan, distributing meat to families in need—a powerful gesture of solidarity.
Kayaalp, who collaborates with Diyanet in its charitable missions, was applauded not only as a sports icon but as a humanitarian ambassador bridging hearts between nations.
The session concluded with warm exchanges, promises of strengthened sports collaboration, and a shared vision of empowering youth through wrestling—a sport of grit, honour, and global unity.
