(Istanbul, Turkey)- The Turkey Lacrosse Association is proud to announce that Turkey will be participating in the 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championships this July 10th-19th in Denver, Colorado, USA. This will be Turkey’s first appearance at the World Lacrosse Championships which is held every 4 years. The 2018 men’s World Lacrosse Championships will be held in Manchester, England.
Turkey is the first and only Muslim nation attending the 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championships and is the only Muslim nation to be a member of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL), the global governing body, and also the only Muslim nation as a member of the European Lacrosse Federation (ELF). The ELF is a regional governing body for Lacrosse in Europe.
Turkey hosted three separate training camps for its first ever national team for the World Championships over the last year. The First was held at the end of June 2013 in Istanbul and many national team prospects travelled to Israel directly after to play in the annual “friendly” with the Israeli national team. The second national team camp was held in Istanbul during November 2013 and at the same time; the third and only US based national team camp was held at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, USA. Turkish players from around the world came out to be part of this historic opportunity to represent the Republic of Turkey.
After months of discussions, game film, live action assessments and deliberations, the Turkey Lacrosse Association coaches and staff made their final 25-man roster for the games in Denver.
“Each prospect gave their all and we are proud to see so many coming out to play and wanting the opportunity to represent our great country”, Executive Director, Patrick Dougherty states, “ this opportunity is not just for Turkey but for all Muslim nations and players,” he continued.
Turkey is playing in the Gray Division competing against the Czech Republic, Poland and Costa Rica. The remaining schedule depends on the outcome of divisional play and each game thereafter. Turkey hopes to break into the top 25 and at least be the top new team entering the World Championships. There are 9 new teams participating in the largest World Championships in lacrosse history with 38 nations in total.
The 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championship roster:
Offense
Mahmut Can Kayacan (Aachen University LC, Germany/Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Göksun Sofu (Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Ozan Can Sarıbaş (Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Bijan Joseph Firouzan (Gettysburg College, USA)
Ismail Bilgin (Wettingen Wild LC, Switzerland)
Tunahan Sonat (Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Muhlis Burak Cındık (Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Stefan Genişoğlu (Frankfurt LC, Germany)
Sahin Kutay Ozdemir (Ankara Knights LC, Turkey)
Anıl Tekinyer (Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Dean Pohlman (University of Wisconsin, USA/Austin Capitals LC, USA)
Tyler Rinko (Roanoke College, USA/Izmir Warriors LC, Turkey)
Hunter Barnett (Rutgers University, USA)
Batuhan Esirger (Ankara Knights LC, Turkey)
Deniz Sarıkaya (Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Cem Dogrul (Braunschweig LC, Germany)
Onat Veziroglu (TASIS, Switzerland/Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Defense
Bertan Hamdi Unal (Providence College, USA/ Alexandria LC, USA)
Cem Yilmaz Kalkavan (Tufts University, USA)
Caner Muharrem Newton ( Lees McRae, USA)
Umur Can Levent (Canterbury School, USA/ Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Deniz Piatt (Kean University, USA)
Patrick Dougherty (Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
Goalies
Jacob Adoni (Gettysburg College, USA)
Ahmet Iskender Kaya (Istanbul Sultans LC, Turkey)
For more information about Turkey Lacrosse or donating to our program, please visit our website at www.TurkeyLacrosse.com or email us admin@TurkeyLacrosse.com. Turkey Lacrosse Association INC is a 501c3 pending not for profit registered in New York State, USA.