Altınbaş University ESports Center Opened

Altınbaş University's ESports Center was inaugurated with the participation of Altınbaş University Rector Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan and Riot Games Türkiye Country Manager Erdinç İyikul at the Bakırköy Campus of the university.

During the opening of the ESports Center, Altınbaş University Rector Çağrı Erhan stated that students played a significant role in its establishment. He said, "As a city university, we experience both the advantages and disadvantages. Our students in this campus are centrally located, which means they are close to everywhere. However, sports facilities are limited. Since last year, we have been making significant efforts in this regard. We have created areas for archery and dance. Our students also told us that 'ESports is indispensable for us,' and as a result of our discussions, we decided to establish this center." Erhan emphasized the contributions of students and student clubs to the development of this center.

Altınbaş University's Student Dean, Dr. Assistant Professor Duygu Kotan Türkden, expressed her happiness for realizing another dream of the students with the opening of the ESports Center.

Dr. Duygu Kotan Türkden highlighted that everything in the ESports Center was done according to the students' wishes. She said, "This idea emerged during a student workshop held at the university. It came to life with the investments made from the university's own resources."

Riot Games Türkiye Country Manager Erdinç İyikul, the honorary guest of the ceremony, addressed the students, saying, "You are very lucky to have a school that provides you with such an opportunity. We used to go to internet cafes to play games. Now, in the world we have come to, ESports is part of the entertainment industry. Today, the world's largest league is in this field, and 20% of the players here are Turkish players." İyikul emphasized the significance of opening an ESports Center within a university, stating, "Most players are university-aged students. The earlier they enter the gaming world and the more time they spend there, the more opportunities they have for development. It is also very important for us that the university does not overlook this field. I am really happy to be here today. I have seen smiling and happy faces."

Referring to the match he played with Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan, İyikul said, "We had a very enjoyable life-or-death match. It is very important to share this with our Rector and all the academicians. I believe that supporting this distinguishes you from all other universities."

Students also showed great interest in the match between Rector Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan and Erdinç İyikul. After the first match, which took place amid enthusiastic cheers, a tournament was held among the students. At the end of the tournament, Rector Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan and Erdinç İyikul awarded the first and second-place teams. The team consisting of Mohammed Alzabari, Ali Yahya Dilekçi, İsmail Tuna Kaçar, Mert Boral, and Osayd Jamal Irsan Walad Ali won the first place, while the team consisting of Elif Karacan, Musa Akhundov, Mehmet Çandır, İsmail Haydar İmamoğlu, Memmedbağir Hüseynov, and Doğu Kaan Tünay came second.