When you play football, you are in the spotlight of everyone's attention. However, once your football career ends, this popularity gradually diminishes. I was aware that my popularity would decrease after retiring, and I was prepared for it. Unfortunately, some of my footballer friends were not ready for it and were negatively affected. Football players should be aware of what awaits them after their careers.

Last week, I attended the Antalya Winterleague convention in Turkey. If you're active in the football industry, I highly recommend checking out their upcoming events. Congratulations to the whole team for organising and inviting me to this great event.

Academies have witnessed significant growth and resource allocation, but the key factor lies in appointing competent instructors within these academies. It is crucial to not only focus on the technical development of players but also prioritize their mental preparedness before promoting them to the A team. The world market has been greatly affected by an economic crisis following the pandemic, impacting even prestigious clubs who have achieved success in the Champions League. Consequently, European clubs, in particular, have started recruiting academy players aged between 19-15, including our own players. However, I firmly believe that this approach is misguided. Instead, I advocate for our young talents to complete their journey within the academy system and foster a sense of loyalty and belonging before making the transition to the A team.

We are aware that Antalya is the sports tourism capital of Turkey and, in my opinion, one of the sports tourism capitals globally. With our top-notch facilities, fields, and quality hotels, we rank among the top three in sports tourism worldwide. Moreover, we don't limit ourselves to football; we also organize activities covering sports such as tennis, swimming, archery, and athletics. Additionally, we have plans to venture into E-sports. As Türsab, we attach great importance to this.

I joined Fenerbahçe in 2012 after working as a finance manager in international companies. The sports industry initially gave the impression of being highly professional from the outside. However, upon entering the industry, I realized that clubs were not managed as professionally as expected.

As a ministry, we fully support sports tourism and believe that it will continue to develop and grow each day. The WL Convention, now in its second year, is taking significant strides forward. Sports tourism is a sector that deserves support due to its high added value. We eagerly anticipate the future of this sector.

In the realm of sports injuries, dreams often lead the way when considering injection therapy. But realities must always prevail. The ultimate goal is to facilitate healing, but we must ensure that we do not cause harm in the process. Our aim should be rapid recovery, as time is of the essence, and it is crucial to prevent injury recurrence.

When I played in Turkey, the opportunities in Turkish football were very limited. The stadiums and facilities were of low quality, but the players during my time were better. However, today we have excellent stadiums, facilities, and training grounds, but I don't believe the current players are as good. To excel in any field, one must have a passion for what they do. Despite earning very little money, we loved what we did.

First and foremost, we should ask ourselves: Where does sports science stand in enhancing football performance? A research study titled 'What do coaches expect from sports science?' was conducted and published in 2018, involving participants from the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom with over 24 years of experience. The study identified five key points: mental skills, physical skills, group dynamics, knowledge about load and capacity, and talent development. These aspects pique the curiosity of coaches and play a vital role in shaping football performance.

If you ask me "what could instantly unlock the potential of women's football?" I would say it starts with investment. Globally, women's football receives only about 2% of the total football budget. Here's a simple calculation: if we reduce the budget allocated to men's football from 98% to 96%, it wouldn't make a significant difference. Savings can be found in various areas. However, if we increase the budget for women's football from 2% to 4%, we would double the size of women's football and make a significant impact.

To enhance Turkiye's brand value and foster its national and international development, it is crucial to establish a clear vision and proceed with strategic steps aligned with that vision. While the topic of academies is currently under discussion, I have personally gained experience in club management, and I believe that academies should not be seen as a distinct entity separate from the A team. Instead, they should be an integral part of the entire structure, operating in harmony and unity, all while adhering to a comprehensive plan. It is imperative that the academies and the A team work together synergistically, as a cohesive unit, for Turkiye's overall advancement.

To instigate societal transformation, it is essential to prioritize the empowerment of women and children. Our country possesses a significant population potential, with approximately 11 million girls between the ages of 5 and 19. When we focus on the 14-year age range, this number reduces to 6 million, representing our potential outreach. Through strategic planning and goal setting, we have undertaken a study aimed at effecting change. Each year, we organize auditions for the U15 age group, where our three national team coaches travel to different regions to select talented individuals. Last year, we were delighted to witness the participation of an average of 50 to 100 girls. This year, we have expanded the duration of the auditions, resulting in a minimum attendance of 400 girls. Even though our progress may not be immediately visible or despite being in the early stages, I would like to emphasize the tremendous potential we have achieved within a span of 3 to 3.5 years. The opportunities before us are remarkably promising.

At this juncture, the program has achieved a significantly higher level through the involvement of sponsors, the growth of the league, and the participation of esteemed major clubs. Consequently, it is imperative for us to provide them with what they rightly deserve. Regardless of the circumstances, we are committed to delivering nothing less than the best and most well-equipped resources, driven by our professional integrity, team spirit, and profound respect for the sport of football. Witnessing the results and progress together is truly exhilarating. It holds great importance to me that players' self-confidence soars, that they engage in thoughtful contemplation of the game, and that they avidly observe and follow contemporary football, applying its principles on the field while fostering a deep passion for the sport.

In my area of expertise, I would like to discuss injury risk prediction and prevention, as well as enhancing performance. When using software to gather information, if a player is identified as high risk, the decision becomes challenging. Should they be rested or trained further? On the field, there are different pathways to consider, ranging from simple algorithms to more complex ones. These pathways suggest adjusting workload based on perceptual well-being, workload relationships, or readiness levels. The decision could involve increasing physical preparation or allowing for extra recovery time. Depending on the specific trends and chronic workload, customized solutions and exercise programs can be implemented, such as a traffic light alert system. Ultimately, as a practitioner, you must make the final decision. In this context, Monilabb's Al-enhanced active monitoring and risk prediction software plays a crucial role. It aids in making informed decisions and forecasting potential risks.

During the pandemic, the global football industry faced significant challenges, with stadium revenues and sponsors disappearing. Without fans, watching matches became devoid of atmosphere. As a result, the focus shifted to data analysis for player and team evaluation. As the head of Comparisonator, our customer base grew from six to over 100, as agencies and teams sought our expertise. We utilized virtual transfers and artificial intelligence to thoroughly assess players and form strategic team compositions. In a world where mistakes were no longer affordable, data became crucial in making informed decisions. The football industry's transformation highlighted the importance of adapting to limited resources and leveraging technology for success.

Ten years ago, there was a remarkable surge in sports tech companies. Personally, I witnessed this growth as a sports tech incubator, receiving numerous requests for assistance from ambitious startups eager to innovate in the world of football. Technology has the potential to enhance various aspects of a club, from optimizing player sleep to analyzing their movements with precision. However, the implementation of these technologies varies depending on factors such as club size, organization, and available resources. Just as we have countless apps on our iPhones, the utilization of technology in a club depends on individual preferences and needs. The culture of embracing technology in decision-making processes is expanding, as it saves time, increases efficiency, and mitigates risks. Different areas within a club, such as performance, organization, data scouting, media engagement, and injury prevention, can benefit from the diverse range of innovative startups constantly proposing their solutions.

Before proposing a player to the sports director, we thoroughly assess the player's data. If we determine that the player is not a suitable match for the team, we refrain from making a proposal. It is essential for both agents and sports directors to avoid wasting time by sending unsuitable players. Using a platform to evaluate the player's compatibility with the team is beneficial in our profession. Additionally, the player's character is crucial, and meeting them in person helps determine their willingness to join the team. Once we have collected the necessary data and evaluated the player together, we present the proposal to the clubs. However, the final decision rests with the club. Our role as agents is to guide and support the player throughout their career, addressing any weaknesses and assisting them with social media and other aspects. By analyzing data and helping the player improve their performance, we can motivate them to progress in their career, even surpassing players in the same position in the league.

I think for me, playing and completing two decades in football, that's an achievement in itself because so many players have injuries, their careers are cut short, and they don't achieve their full potential. For me, I have won nearly everywhere I have been. When I was at Tottenham, I was a captain and I won the league cup. That was a very special moment and going to Arsenal, it was a big, big pressure to perform, and I won the league and the cup, breaking a record in the English Premiership of going unbeaten as a team in a whole season.

In my previous role as head of recruitment for Bologna Serie A club, I focused on identifying young players due to our limited budget. I recall traveling to Salzburg to watch an under 19 national team game between France and Austria. This age group allowed me to assess players' potential for becoming professionals. One of the challenges as a scout is predicting a player's progression. During this journey, I realized the importance of paying attention to details often overlooked when analyzing mature players. Personality is a crucial aspect that influences a player's success. Data, including information gathered through meetings and personal observations, play a significant role in evaluating players. I remember scouting a player named Saphir Taider who later played in the World Cup with Algeria. His determination and self-confidence, evident during our meeting in a bar, gave me insights into his potential. When he joined our team, his immediate impact, scoring a goal from a free kick, confirmed his talent. It's essential to combine various information, including data and personal assessments, while considering the specific qualities sought in potential talents.

The primary objective is to elevate coaching education to a higher level and establish elevated standards. This approach extends beyond coach education and applies to everything we do. Several years ago, we launched a campaign called "Carry the Ball Close to Your Heart," which embodies the essence of our approach. The aim is to enhance coaching standards across all levels. We are in the process of establishing minimum criteria for various coaching levels. However, it is essential to preserve the unique identity of each national association. While adhering to the unified minimum criteria in the core educational pathway from C to Pro, associations are encouraged to develop their distinctive identity and surpass the set standards. A regular monitoring process is in place, and every three years, association memberships undergo reevaluation. Through this system, we have witnessed significant progress in all our national associations.