MEKE DRAGON BOAT RACING TEAM CAME IN SECOND PLACE !!!

Istanbul Dragon Festival occurred between the dates of 30-31 May 2009 in the Haliç region. Over 70 associations attended this year’s festival. On the first day, the MEKE Dragon Boat Racing Team, obtained the best time results on both of the races and qualified to race on the “Federation Cup Race”. The Federation Cup Race was very tight and MEKE Dragon Boat Racing Team came up in the 3rd place and recieved an ovation from fellow racers as well as the audience.

On the second day of the festival the best time teams raced in the “Sport Category”. MEKE Dragon Boat Racing Team came in the first place and rose to the finals. During the two months, with three days a week training, our team came in 2nd place in the final race, and has now the right to represent Turkey at the International Dragon Boat Races.

During the festival, entertaining activities and workshops took place. All attendees has spent a delightful weekend.

At the “Most Interesting Drummer Costume Competition” MEKE Dragon Boat Racing Team’s drummer with Popeye costume went all the way up to the finals. The show that was presented by him received a standing ovation.

MEKE Team Captain Engin Çakmak said: “We worked very hard. I congratulate all my team members. We bestow this success to our founder Mehmet Kemerli. Next year our goal is to be the Champions!”

We congratulate our Dragon Boat Racing Team and wish them good luck for the races next year.

2009 MEKE DRAGON BOAT RACING TEAM MEMBERS

Engin Çakmak (Team Captain)
Selami Turna
Cesur Çelik
Şerafet Şahin
Sedat Kılıçarslan
Mahir Saraç
Hüseyin Yiğit
Cevdet Vural
Ahmet Kurşun
İsmail Yaşar
Yadikar Uzun
Cem Zengin
Cesur Ataman
Mehmet Ali Süer
Jason Mooer
Funda Gürcüoğlu
Dilek Hepbayraktar
Tülin Schandara
Elif Yılmaz
Hilal Aytaç
Şebnem Çelik
Deniz Şimşek

Trainer: Nuri Topsakal
General Coordinator: M. Burak Tüzün