Associate Prof. Dr Sevim Güllü's book on 30 years of the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) was presented at the European Fair Play Congress in Mardin (TUR).

Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of EFPM

Founded exactly 30 years ago by a group of fair play volunteers who believed in the  ideal of fair play, European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) is a civil society organisation that has undertaken extremely important roles in establishing and promoting the concept of fair play.

Although there is substantial information about this organisation, especially from recent years, on the EFPM website – where I serve as a member of the scientific board – we felt that this should be compiled into a book and began conducting retrospective research.

The process of writing the book was long and difficult, but now I see that it has emerged to be a useful publication and that all the difficulties were worth it. There are people I would like to thank in this process. First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Uğur Erdener so much, President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee, who added value for congratulating my book. The archive of my mentor and fair play leader, one of EFPM’s founding members, Mr. Erdoğan Arıpınar, was particularly insightful and helpful during the writing process, I would like to thank him so much, for his unwavering support throughout this process. One of the most important opportunities in my life is to work with him and witness his dedication to fair play. I would also like to extend my gratitude to President of EFPM Mr. Philippe Housiaux for his support from the very beginning of the book; Mr. Carlos Gonçalves, one of EFPM’s founding members, for the original photographs and documents he sent me; and Mrs. Katarina Raczova, one of EFPM members with institutional memory, for her help in arranging the list of award-winning individuals and institutions. Special thanks also to Mr. Ioannis Psilopoulos, EFPM Secretary General, for the valuable information he provided. In addition, I would like to express my eternal gratitude to my esteemed EFPM Board Member, Prof. Dr. Bilge Donuk; my esteemed colleague and EFPM Supervisory Board Member, Mr. Remzi Yılmaz and Mr. Yalçın Aksoy for their valuable contributions and suggestions regarding the book. Finally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to my family, who have always supported me.

 "Fair play", which encompasses all the good qualities of humanity, is becoming increasingly important for fostering a better society and cleaner sports. My greatest wish is that this book which is written commemorating the 30th anniversary of the European Fair Play Movement contributes to the promotion of fair play and, it will be enlightening and inspiring for all its readers.

Assoc. Prof. Sevim GÜLLÜ

Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Faculty of Sport Science

Scientific Board Member of the EFPM

Member of the Turkish National Olympic Committe

Vice President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee Fair Play Commission

The book is available in the PDF document below.

01.11.2024