A famous basketball coach from Turkey visited LSU

  A famous Turkish basketball coach Murat Didin visited Lithuanian Sports University. The coach has spent most of his career in the best Turkish, German and Italian basketball clubs; he has coached “Fenerbache”, “Basket Rimini”, “Opel Skyliners” and other teams. During the visit, M. Didin met with the Rector of LSU Dr. Aivaras Ratkevičius and discussed future opportunities for cooperation.

  Focusing on international study programmes and international students, LSU pays attention to lecturers from abroad, who can share their knowledge with LSU students, teaching staff members, coaches and athletes and at the same time attract foreign students.

  “Knowledge that such specialists have is very important to the University. Turkish basketball is known all over the world. For example, four in 16 Euroleague basketball teams are from Turkey, which shows a significant growth of Turkish basketball and excellent prospects for the future”, said the partnership initiator Dr. Mindaugas Balčiūnas.

  According to M. Didin, the Institute of Sport, which belongs to the oldest Istanbul University of Turkey, became a sports faculty only last year. It is changing the attitude towards Sports Science, and this has resulted in the increased number of young people who decide to choose studies, related to sport.

  “At present, Turkey is rapidly developing sports infrastructure and is building outdoor courts for various sports. Even more attention is being paid to sports science, because we want to prepare highly qualified specialists and researchers.  The first steps have been taken in Turkish schools, too, as physical activity lessons have been introduced. Therefore, the need for good sports specialists is rapidly increasing in Turkey”, said M. Didin. He confirmed that he would participate in the development of study programmes at Lithuanian Sports University, share his expert knowledge and experience in lectures, conferences and seminars.

  “Unlike Turkey, Lithuania has been creating the basis for Sport Science for decades. You prepare specialists, who are well known in Europe. I hope that this cooperation will show results next year. A lot of students from Turkey are planning to study in Lithuania; so, we will share our experience and at the same time we will try to take over your experience“, said the coach.