Ambassador Francis Ricciardone Visited the Summer Basketball Camp in Bolu

July 17, 2012

Amb. Ricciardone and the campers. — in Bolu, Turkey.

The U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone had a ball shooting hoops with students at a summer basketball camp in Bolu on July 17th. Hosted at Abant İzzet Baysal University, the camp is organized by the Turkish Basketball Federation and funded by the U.S. Embassy.

Under the leadership of three American coaches, the camp brings together approximately 230 student athletes to train for five days. The students and coaches come from over 17 different cities in Turkey, as well as from Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. Ambassador Ricciardone remarked America and Turkey’s passion for sports is one of our many similarities, and that perhaps the next Hido or Mehmet Okur might come out of this camp.  

Overall, a big congratulations to the students, coaches, TBF and Abant İzzet Baysal University for a great endeavor!