Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen honors both the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the country’s youth
Held at the Turkish ambassador’s Giza residence, the event brought together diplomats, youth representatives, and members of the Turkish, Egyptian, and Palestinian communities for a day of table tennis, arm wrestling, archery—and more than a little symbolism.
Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen used the occasion to announce a planned friendly match between Egypt and Turkey’s under-21 football teams.
The match is part of upcoming celebrations marking 100 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Palestinian youth taking part in the celebration at the Turkish embassy in Giza.
“Youth represent hope and the future,” Şen said. “Sports build friendships. We want more of that — at club level and national level.”
He praised Egypt’s rising talent, including Adam Asil, the Egyptian-born gymnast who now competes for Turkey and recently became a world champion.
“He’s our shared pride,” Şen said, naming football stars Mohamed Salah and Arda Güler as youth role models in both countries.
Palestinian youth were also welcomed at the embassy — a move Şen framed as both symbolic and intentional.
“Palestinian youth are the future of a free and independent Palestine,” he said. “Just as Israeli children deserve safety and freedom, so do Palestinian children. Gaza is a test of human conscience.”
Turkish ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen with the Egyptian winner of the airline ticket.
The date itself — 19 May — commemorates the country’s Youth and Sports Day and the launch of its independence movement under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Şen reminded guests of the young people who fought and died in that struggle: “Some were just fifteen.”
The event closed with a raffle sponsored by Turkish airline A Jet. Three young guests — two Egyptian women and a Palestinian girl — won free tickets to Turkey.
Şen’s final message to the youth in the crowd was simple: “Never stray from the path of human dignity, justice, and peace.”
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