Erdogan commemorates Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day, highlighting Turkish youth as key to Türkiye’s future and pledging continued support for their growth and success.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has commemorated Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day. In a message shared by Türkiye's Communications Directorate on X on Monday, Erdogan highlighted the historical importance of May 19, marking the start of the Turkish War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, in 1919. He stated, "We are protecting the homeland and the Republic—sacred legacies entrusted to us by our ancestors—and we are taking steps to advance and elevate the Republic of Türkiye, which will endure forever, in every field."

Erdogan emphasized that he regards Turkish youth not only as the architects of the future but also as a driving force for change. He expressed his firm belief that with their energy, determination, and dreams—carrying the legacy of "our civilisation in their hearts"—the Turkish youth will leave a defining mark "on our era as the 'Century of Türkiye.'" In shaping Türkiye’s future, Erdogan stated that they aim to "solve and permanently eliminate" any issues that waste the energy of Turkish youth and the country’s resources through "fruitless discussions." He added, "We work with all our might to fulfil our promise to leave our youth a peaceful and serene, high-tech, and prosperous country."

The president underscored the government's commitment to providing opportunities for youth to discover their potential across various fields, including science, art, sports, agriculture, diplomacy, and nuclear technologies. He said that the government walks "hand in hand and arm in arm with our youth" to realize the ideal of a great and powerful Türkiye. Erdogan promised continued support for all Turkish youth who strive tirelessly to achieve their goals, refuse to give up, and seek to further honor the civilizational heritage inherited from their forefathers.

He affirmed that the government will maintain its determination to work harder and achieve more for Turkish youth, recognizing them as the credit for every success of Türkiye. Erdogan described Türkiye as a central country that has grown stronger and strengthened its position with the steps taken. He also paid tribute to "all the heroes of our War of Independence, Gazi Mustafa Kemal in particular."

May 19, 1919, is remembered as the day when Ataturk arrived in the Black Sea city of Samsun from Istanbul to launch the war that, four years later, transformed the nation into modern Türkiye. In 1938, Ataturk dedicated May 19 to the youth of the Turkish nation as Youth and Sports Day, a national holiday celebrated with sporting and cultural activities and official ceremonies across the country.