Don’t miss this conversation with Ahmet Uysal RC 90 as he shares how sport became a lifelong vehicle for giving back — reflecting on discipline, community, and the impact of staying connected through the values shaped along the way.
“The biggest challenge is to find the right people for one’s team.”
Having started off as a professional basketball player, Derya Yannier is now the general manager of Fenerbahçe Beko Basketball Club and offers a unique all-around perspective.
What were the milestones in your journey?
Growing up, I had to follow the footsteps of an academically successful sister and keep up with my athletic goals – an impossible challenge! I went to the States for one year in college to balance things up, but it was not the ideal solution for my basketball career, and I came back.
When I was 25 years old, I decided that the moment that I felt I could not become top level, I would make a change. Therefore, when I had a knee injury at 27, I started my business life. I tried for two years to discover my passion. After trying several different fields, I realized that I could not stay away from my childhood passion.
I ended up in the management side of basketball- first by purchasing the management rights of a club with other RC graduates, then working at the Turkish Basketball Federation as the Super League Director and now as the General Manager of Fenerbahçe Beko.
What challenges do you face now in your current role?
I have to manage marketing, ticketing, digital marketing and media, youth program, finances and the politics. The biggest challenge is to build a strong team and find the right people.
How do you see the future of basketball in Turkey ?
There is strong investment in sports in Turkey. The biggest thing missing is the cultural element. We mostly enjoy or follow sports only around winning or losing. Basketball in Europe is going through a lot of challenges at the moment. There might be some structural changes in the European basketball landscape. Turkish basketball will hopefully have an even bigger piece of the cake.
Any memories from RC that stand out?
Robert College gives you the opportunity to taste a variety of things, including sports, at a very large scale. In RC I had the privilege to play table tennis, floor hockey, soft ball and much more. The Field Days gave us the opportunity to unite around different kinds of sports.
Mr. Phillips was a great teacher, guide, brother and father. After Orta where I did not play for the school team, everything was finally set for me to join the school team and I arranged my club practice schedule accordingly . For my first school practice somehow I misunderstood the time and was late. When I arrived at the gym, Mr. Phillips had given a speech to the team about my lack of discipline and written on the board with capital letters ‘MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY’. It was quite a shocking moment, but afterwards we had an incredible relationship.
Any advice to RC students?
Starting from the worldview it provides to the close links the graduates sustain, RC is truly unique. When you are young, you may just look forward to finishing your academic duties. However, you understand later what a privilege you had. My message to all current RC students would be to make the most of every moment and build as many close friendships as you can. You will build on this foundation for the rest of your lives.
“Türkiye has an amazing potential to become one of the most developed nations in sports.”
Emre Turanlı has two important hats: He is the Global CMO Mobility/Convenience & License Markets Chairman Shell Brands International, as well as the Vice-President of the Water Polo Federation of Turkey. With these dual roles, he is in a unique position to evaluate how sports and leadership are related.
How did you get interested in water polo?
I started swimming competitevely when I was five years old at Istanbul Yüzme İhtisas Klübü. At age eleven, I transitioned to water polo as it was more fun and a team sport.
What does being president of a sports federation entail?
Federations are private institutions, and our job is to make sure that the league operates at all Olympic age groups both for men and women. We also support the development of international delegates and referees. National Team development is also crucial, and we cultivate and manage it for all age groups. Therefore, this position particularly entails enabling all the required funding and facilitating work so that facilities are secured. We also have a very strong program on TOHMs (Turkish Olympic Development Centers) especially to develop women’s water polo with the goal of competing in the next Olympics.
Türkiye has developed significantly in sports over the last decade; in particular, in Olympic sports. The facilities are now on par with the most developed nations’. Turkiye has an amazing potential to become one of the most developed nations in sports, and the biggest challenge is to raise public awareness and interest. Sports is still seen only as a health improvement aspect in our society. The more we support young athletes in pursuing professional sports—particularly outside major cities where excellent facilities exist—the more successful we can become”
What impact does sports have on your career?
Both work and sports require discipline, hard work, decision making, not giving up. Team sports teach to take decisions under pressure, not to let yourself sink down after a wrong decision, discipline in the face of adversity, and competing against competition not internal targets. All those situations are also very common in business. At work, I would also always prefer somebody who has done competitive sports from a young age, because they would have the grit, discipline, and winning mind set.
“Passion drives sports, but professionalism sustains it.”
A seasoned executive and a lifelong Fenerbahçe fan, Uzun is committed to making sports a more inclusive arena.
How involved were you in sports at RC?
I was quite active at RC — maybe not the star athlete, but definitely a spirited participant! The Plateau was a fantastic place where I would often go running with my best friend, Dilara Göksel. We even participated at one of the first Avrasya Marathons) as one of the few young women running. RC, with its many sports facilities, encouraged me at an early age to express myself with sports. I was also a licensed sailor.
What influenced your decision to join the Board of the new Fenerbahçe administration?
It was a mix of passion and purpose. As a lifelong Fenerbahçe fan, I have enjoyed being a dedicated spectator .I felt this was a moment when sports clubs needed to evolve — to bring in new perspectives on governance, brand building, digitalization, and social impact. I also believe that greater female representation and diversity can help the sports world advance in a positive way. So when President Sadettin Saran offered me the opportunity to join his team, I saw it as a chance to serve the club I love, while contributing my leadership and marketing experience to help shape a more modern, inclusive, and future-ready Fenerbahçe.
What added value and skills can people from non-sports-related careers bring to sports clubs?
A great deal actually! Modern sports clubs are complex organizations, needing strategic thinking, brand management, financial discipline, community building, and digital innovation, not just athletic excellence. People from different professional backgrounds bring diverse lenses that can strengthen the club’s institutional foundations. Passion drives sports, but professionalism sustains it.
What are your observations about sports club management so far? Have there been any surprises or unexpected aspects to the role?
What has surprised me most is the intensity of emotion. In business, we talk about brand love; here, we live it every day. Every decision is felt instantly by millions of people. That level of engagement is both the biggest challenge and the biggest privilege.
The level of professionalism behind the scenes is also impressive — the dedication of our teams, the volunteer spirit and commitment of the Board, and the shared ambition to make Fenerbahçe a club that not only wins but leads by example.
Ebru Köksal RC 86 Leads In Creating A More Equitable Football Industry
“Sports has an extraordinary power to challenge stereotypes, promote inclusivity and redefine what leadership looks like.”
Ebru Köksal is a non executive director (NED), working with a range of organisations across public, private and voluntary sectors and also the chair of the international NGO Women in Football. She was Turkey’s first female CEO of a men’s football club, namely Galatasaray.
Any memories from the times you played basketball at RC?
I remember vividly the sense of belonging and the camaraderie that sports created. Mr. Cameron and Mr. Phillips taught us discipline and teamwork, but also resilience, how to bounce back after a loss, how to show up for each other no matter what. From our class, we were eight members on the team and we are still closest friends for life.
Your career includes many sports-related firsts. Which of these have been particularly fulfilling for you, and why?
Becoming the first female CEO of a men’s football club in Turkey and one of the first in Europe was both the most challenging and the most fulfilling milestone of my career. Leading Galatasaray was an incredible honour but also a profound test of resilience and courage. It opened the door for other women to aspire to leadership roles in football and breaking barriers in a traditionally male dominant industry remains one of my greatest sources of pride.
Being the “first” or the “only” one has never been what mattered most, ensuring that you are not the “last” is the real legacy.
Equally fulfilling has been my work with Women in Football, a UK-based NGO with over 12,000 members worldwide. Through our leadership programmes and advocacy, we help women develop their skills, thrive in football and reach senior roles, building a more inclusive and equitable industry for generations to come.
How did RC impact your leadership journey?
The school’s emphasis on critical thinking, community service and forward thinking laid the foundation for my leadership style. I learned to challenge norms respectfully, to lead with integrity and to value collaboration over competition. These principles have guided me through every boardroom and strategic role in my career.
In what ways can sports contribute to gender equality?
When women are visible as players, coaches, executives and leaders of sports organizations, they inspire a new generation to believe that anything is possible.
What advice would you give to RC students or graduates considering a career in sports management?
If you’re passionate about sports and curious about the business behind it, sports management can be an incredibly dynamic career. My advice: start by understanding the whole ecosystem from athletes to governing bodies, media to sponsors. The industry needs visionary leaders, who combine business acumen with purpose and heart and I believe RC graduates are uniquely equipped to rise to that challenge. Barriers exist to be broken. If you love the game, there’s always a way to make your entry and leave your lasting mark.
Who can forget the first time they picked up a tennis racket or bounced on the trampoline at RC? Ran around the Plateau or tried their hand at archery? Being introduced to such a wide array of sports on a campus that makes this diversity possible is truly one of the many privileges of an RC education. More important — and even more lasting — is the spirit of fair competition, discipline, and sportsmanship instilled in RC students through this wonderful medium. In this issue, RCQ explores sports at RC — past, present, and future.
A sound mind in a sound body: One of the most beloved principles of Atatürk has also served as a guiding light to RC right from the start. RC co-founder Cyrus Hamlin staunchly believed that physical education needed to be an integral part of student training. As a result, a robust physical education program was already in place as early as 1863. As Dağhan Irmak states in his article “At the Heart of Sports: Robert College” in the book The Anatomy of a Tradition: 150 years of Robert College, physical education in the Ottoman Empire at the time was mostly synonymous with military training, even as a sports renaissance was gaining momentum in the West. Against this backdrop, RC stood out as a true pioneer.
In 1896, the same year as the first modern Olympics, the RC Sports Club was founded — among the very first sports clubs in the Ottoman Empire. The Olympic movement’s ideals inspired RC’s own tradition of athletics and gave rise to the beloved Field Day. The first Field Day took place in 1897, and in the years that followed, the range of events grew so broad that RC likely hosted the most comprehensive athletic competitions in the Empire at the time.
In late 19th century, soccer was taking Europe by storm, and Foreign Ministery employee and RC teacher Reşat Danyal wanted to experience this sport. He helped establish a Turkish soccer team called “Black Stockings” in 1899, and according to some sources the first meeting to create the team took place on RC campus. Though the team was discontinued due to political reasons, the soccer fire was lit at RC and burned on through the years.
Another milestone was the opening of the Dodge Gymnasium in 1904. Named after donor William Dodge, it was the first school gymnasium in Europe, and it was there, in 1908, that the first basketball game in Turkey was played.
In the meantime, the Ottoman Empire warmed to the idea of sports. RC students attended the 1905 Intercalated Games (Summer Olympics in 1906). Michael Doricaz RC 07 won a bronze medal in shot put, broke the world record in javelin throwing the next year and won a silver medal in javelin in the 1908 Olympics. He also attended the 1912 Olympics along with two other RC athletes: Vahram Papazyan RC 13 and Mıgırdiç Mıgıryan.
Indeed RC boasts many Olympians among its ranks. For example, Apostolos Nikalaidis RC 16 is a prominent RC athlete from that time. He participated in soccer, basketball, athletics, and volleyball at RC and was also a Fenerbahçe player. He was discovered by a Panathinaikos coach who was visiting RC and went on to become a sports legend in Greece. He represented Greece in the 1920 Olympics both in soccer and decathlon.
Şekip Engineri RC 23 competed in the 100-meter race in the 1924 Olympics and broke Turkey’s first 110 meter hurdles record in 1928. In 1936, Turkish national basketball team had three RC students, and it was this team that went to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Sadri Usuoğlu RC 30 and Kamil Ocak RC 35 played against Egpyt and Chile.
The first female Olympian from Turkey is also an RC alumnus: Halet Çamlıbel ACG 35. Çamlıbel was one of the two female athletes who represented Turkey at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Her branch was fencing, and her attendance was personally requested by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Starting in 1920, RC joined the Istanbul Basketball League, completing several undefeated seasons and winning multiple Istanbul championships. The 1930s were a particularly strong era for RC basketball, with many students playing for Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, and with Rupen Semerciyan RC 26 and Naili Moran RC 32 going on to become national players.
Over the following decades, RC continued to expand the range of sports it offered — from badminton, boxing, and fencing to gymnastics, judo, horseback riding, skiing, and weightlifting. Table tennis was introduced to Turkey through RC, and the country’s first athletic championship was also held at the school.
The national players that emerged from RC in these decades reflect the expanding range: Emin Doybak RC 55 (Track, 1952 Olympics), Samim Uygun RC 61 (football), Reşat Kayalı RC 66 (Track), Fatih Tar RC 71 (Decathlon), Ahmet Kayalı RC 72 (Triple Jump)
Teachers were pivotal in enabling students to experience the wide array of sports at RC and build lifelong skills and values.
One such teacher was Alexander Nadolsky who joined RC at 1925. A former Russian officer and fencing expert, Nadolsky was a complete athlete. He even introduced swimming to the activities offered at school and swam with students on the Bosphorus. RC history teacher Önder Kaya writes about this extraordinary life journey in a separate article.
Another versatile and strong athlete among RC teachers’ ranks was Abbas Sakarya. He was a wrestler for Beşiktaş and was the first Turkish wrestler to have won a medal in an international championship. Sakarya taught at RC between 1959 and 1977 and was also the co-founder of Istanbul Yüzme İhtisas Kulübü.
A PE teacher whose influence spanned far and wide is Robert Forsgren. Ali Mirza Önder RC 89 reminisces about how he instilled a lifelong passion for running in so many students:
“In Orta when we thought of sports, only ball games came to mind. We couldn’t understand why anyone would run without a ball in front of them. More importantly, we didn’t enjoy running. The idea that there were people who ran simply for the sake of running — and actually enjoyed it — was completely foreign to us.
Enter Mr. Forsgren. Over the next four years, he turned a group of students — those who didn’t have the talent for football or basketball, and who hadn’t made those teams — into real athletes. Some of us became outstanding in shot put and discus, others in high jump and long-distance running.
Mr. Forsgren taught us to enjoy what you do, regardless of the outcome.
When your goal shifts from “winning” to “enjoying,” and when the only condition for that enjoyment is “doing your very best,” then no matter the result — you’ve already won.
That was the greatest lesson Mr. Forsgren taught us, and we have carried that philosophy into the rest of our lives.
We all knew the “Forsgrenisms” by heart:
In short, Mr. Forsgren was such a great athlete that, despite our youth, none of us could push ourselves to our limits the way he could.He was such a great coach that even a child like me, with zero athletic background, became an “OK” runner under his guidance. He was such a great teacher — he guided and inspired us, yet always stayed quietly on the sidelines, letting us feel that our accomplishments were truly our own.”
Yet another legendary physical education teacher was Dave Phillips, who was also RC’s basketball coach. A leader in the civil rights movement in the States, Phillips joined RC in 1979 and also professionally played basketball in Beşiktaş. By the time h
e retired in 2012, he had touched upon many students’s lives in unforgettable ways during a remarkable 33 years at RC. His influence was so strong that when he retired after three decades, students galvanized to honor his legacy. Mehveş Dramur RC 96 recalls this extraordinary show of devotion.
“It all began when one day, Mehmet Pekarun RC 87 visited the Advancement Office with a heartfelt idea. He wished to find a meaningful way to honor our beloved basketball coach and PE teacher, Dave Phillips, who was preparing to retire after a long and impactful career at Robert College.
What started as a simple conversation quickly evolved into an inspiring initiative. After compiling a list of all former basketball players spanning more than three decades, an action committee was formed to bring the idea to life.
At the time, what is now known as the Dave Phillips Field was a dry, uneven patch of land. Over the years, staff and students had expressed the wish to transform the area into a more functional and sustainable space. Various proposals had been discussed, but all required significant financial resources. Given the school’s other priorities and limited budget, the field had remained a dream deferred—until then.
The committee ultimately decided to convert the unused land into a modern soccer field with sustainable artificial grass, ensuring long-term usability and low maintenance. The estimated cost of the project was comparable to that of an endowed scholarship
, and when the Board of Trustees approved the plan, the action team eagerly began reaching out to former teammates and alumni.
What followed was a remarkable display of RC spirit and community solidarity. Contributions flowed in quickly, and the greatest challenge turned out not to be fundraising—but keeping the project a secret from Dave Phillips himself.
That mission, too, was accomplished. On May 19, during the school’s annual celebrations, the team revealed the project and presented it as a surprise gift to Coach Phillips, who was deeply moved.
The celebrations continued with a lively farewell party at the Forum, where former students, athletes, and colleagues gathered to honor Coach Phillips’s legacy. It was a night filled with memories, laughter, and heartfelt tributes—an unforgettable send-off for a teacher and coach who had inspired generations both on and off the court.”
With so many good mentors among the teachers, a lot of RC alumni who were involved with sports at school went on to play critical roles in the Turkish and international sports worlds.
Indeed presidents and founders of sports clubs are galore among RC alumni:
Bedii Yazıcı RC 37 was one of the top basketball players at RC, as well as a soccer player for Fenerbahçe; he later served as the president of the Fenerbahçe Club in 1953-1954.Tuna Baltacıoğlu RC 44 founded Altınyurt Sports Club, with Memet Fuat Bengü RC 44 as a coach by his side. Şenes Erzik RA 61, the first elected president of the Turkish Football Federation, who later served senior positions at FIFA and UEFA, is also an RC alumnus. Alp Yalman RC 59 who served as the president of Galatasaray Sports Club between 1990-1996, transferred German coach Jupp Derwall, thus contributing sginificantly to the modernization of Turkish soccer. Ahmet Güvener RC 72 held important positions in the Turkish Football Federation and became the president of the Central Referee Committee and the Director of Football Development, as well as acting as an advisor to UEFA and FIFA. More recently, Serdar Bilgili RC 81served as the president of the Beşiktaş Sports Club in 2000-2004.
More than a century later, sports continue to be an integral part of the RC education, and more RC alumni will surely join the ranks of those before them who have carried the learnings of RC to the sports arena and beyond.
Taught by a team of seven in English as part of the bilingual curriculum, physical education is still a core academic subject today. The facilities available are as impressive as ever: Transverse and a self-belay climbing wall, MPR, gymnasium, Dave Phillips Field, Grass plateau and tartan track, Faralyalı Trail, Outdoor Education – low and high elements, Bingham Courts and four Bingham tennis courts. The fitness, cardio and yoga rooms are relatively recent additions, and they are popular spaces used throughout the academic day, after school and at the weekend both by students and faculty.
Physical Education Department Head Elizabeth Molton underlines that there are four key tenets to the PE curriculum:
RC takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning, and physical education is often integrated to lessons in LP English as well as to Community Involvement Projects. A fine example is how the reading of the book Lord of the Flies was paired with outdoor activities.
Dean of Student Activitie George Scorgie explains that there are numerous extracurricular activities related to sports:
“Out of 149 CTIs (Clubs, Teams and Initiatives), there are 28 sports related CTIs across social and competitive sports.
The program is quite comprehensive; if a student has a particular interest we can usually find a place to accommodate them: RC has junior and senior competitive teams in many of the MEB team sports; health and fitness clubs for weights and cardio style activities, runners that include coaching and running in events such as half marathons, multiple martial arts, adventure sports and semi competitive sports in sailing and rowing. There are over 200 students training each week, participating and competing, and there is sport generally everyday of the CTI week.
Many of the students sports clubs – outside of the competitive teams – are student suggested, so we are always evolving the program to match student needs and interests. A classic example of this is pickleball, a sport becoming increasingly popular globally that started as an initiative last year before becoming a full weekly club this year.
Something we are also continuing to develop this year is grassroots sport opportunities that support students developing into competitive players. We have started tennis clinic, table tennis club and added more focused exercise-related CTIs to support students’ physical and skill development with the goals of broadening the pathways for players to learn, grow and compete in future years.”
Athletic Director Mauricio Araya Gonçalves divulges RC’s coaching philosophy:
“At Robert College, we aim to foster a positive and supportive environment where our student-athletes are encouraged to reach their full potential—both as individuals and as members of a team. Our coaches strive to instill the values of responsibility, self-respect, respect for others, sportsmanship, commitment, dedication, and teamwork. Robert College student-athletes are guided to always give their best effort, to win with humility and pride, and to accept defeat with dignity and grace.”
Currently the teams that compete in the MEB tournaments are boy’s/girl’s badminton, basketball, football, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball. Gonçalves also co-founded a league called TISL (Turkey International Schools League), and RC teams have friendly matches and host and travel to tournaments in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, and Northern Cyprus in this league as well.”
It is no wonder that with such an integrative approach RC continues to support national athletes. RC’s recent and current national athletes are İpar Kurt RC 23 (Volleyball), Azra Betül Kılaç RC 27 (Ice Hockey), Yiğit Ege Güven RC 26 (Sailing), Taylan Özgür Ercan RC 21 (Swimming), Zehra Nehir Cihan (Fencing).
Gonçalves himself believes in inspiring students to see themselves as worthy individuals of a healthy lifestyle: “Inspiration means more than just teaching the rules of a game or the calories one should consume. Inspiration involves the act of creating a desire in students to have healthy habits from the table to the classroom. By understanding the needs and gifts of individuals, we can create learning experiences that are relevant to each child. ”
Basketball and Tennis CTIs Coach Davor Rimac states that RC students level of engagement and sense of responsibility as team members are strong: “My philosophy is to maximize student engagement and help them reach their highest possible performance. For instance, I usually select more than the required 10–12 players for basketball, but it always works out well. Different players substitute during games, and there is a strong sense of camaraderie and encouragement among everyone each time we play in a tournament. The ultimate goal is, of course, to have fun; however, after putting in hours of training, we also hope that students will recognize how they can make themselves and their teammates better players—and better individuals.”
RC sports life has two important highlights during the year: Field Day and the RC Olympics.
As all RC students know and alumni fondly remember,Field Day is a day for students alone, marked with sports competitions, picnics, and in some years even the election of a King and Queen.
The RC Olympics, a tradition that started in 1897, was revived in 2025. The day brought together alumni, students, faculty, and friends for spirited team tournaments, individual competitions, and two signature highlights—the iconic Everesting Challenge, a special event led by Ahmet H. Uysal RC 90 and the Mount Ararat Challenge.
Participants of all ages tested their endurance, from completing 100 ascents between the Arnavutköy Gate and the Bridge to competing in table tennis, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Beyond the thrill of competition, the event became a meaningful show of support for the RC Scholarship Fund, raising $30,000, evolving the tradition of sportsmanship and camaraderie into one with purpose.
RC takes its strong historical heritage in sports further and further every year with inspiring teachers and coaches, a holistic teaching philosophy that integrates technology, ever-expanding facilities and clubs, and, most importantly a spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie and respect. RC students continue to demonstrate the principle that sound minds belong to sound bodies!
Don’t miss this conversation with Alp Yalman RC 59 as he reflects on Robert College and a lifetime shaped by sport and leadership.
“There’s a growing fascination with open water swimming because it represents something deeply human.”
Yasemin Altıntaş is one of Turkey’s leading open water swimmers, with numerous international accolades—and solid advice for anyone interested in trying the sport.
How did you become involved in open water swimming? How did RC contribute to your interest?
My time at RC was where swimming really took shape for me. I created and captained the swimming team, and through competitive swimming I learned discipline, structure, and a sense of commitment to something bigger than myself. My deeper involvement with open water swimming came much later.
RC teaches you to be curious, resilient, and to take initiative—values that matter most when you’re in the middle of the ocean.
What skills or qualities does open water swimming require?
It demands more than physical stamina. It’s a test of emotional resilience, patience, and adaptability. The ocean doesn’t follow a predictable rhythm like a pool; it’s alive and constantly changing. Every long swim becomes a dialogue with your mind. The ability to stay present, breathe through discomfort, and trust your preparation makes all the difference.
You can’t fake endurance—it’s built over time through repetition and commitment. You must also develop awareness of your body, your rhythm, and the sea’s mood.
What kind of interest do you see in the general public toward open water swimming?
There’s a growing fascination with it because it represents something deeply human: freedom, connection to nature, and inner strength. After the pandemic, many swimmers ventured outdoors simply because they needed physical and mental space—and quickly discovered it’s not just a sport but a form of meditation.
Open water swimming is also becoming more inclusive and accessible. Many people now join community swims or cold-water dips. I’m very engaged in expanding this community; while channel swimming may not be for everyone, open water can be.
You were recently stung by a jellyfish. Are these dangers typical?
When I was stung by a Portuguese Man O’ War in Hawaii, I already knew what to expect. I’d been told it would hurt intensely and that I might struggle to move for about thirty minutes, but that it would pass—and that I’d regret it if I stopped. Having that knowledge helped me stay calm and keep going.
The greatest danger in this sport isn’t the wildlife; it’s underestimating the sea itself.
Any advice for RC alumni or students considering open water swimming?
Start gently and approach it with curiosity rather than pressure. Begin with short swims close to shore, ideally with a group or coach who knows the local conditions. Always prioritize safety.
Focus on mindset. Some days will feel effortless; others will feel like an uphill battle. The key is not to resist either experience. The ability to stay composed and steady in an unpredictable environment is what makes the sport so rewarding—both in and out of the water.
“Watching NBA game tapes with Mr. Phillips took my interest to another level.”
A leading figure in sports commentary and writing, Kaan Kural’s true passion has always been basketball — and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles is the one event he’s most looking forward to.
In which sports were you involved at RC?
I was a member of the basketball and track & field teams, but as a boarding student, I got involved in almost every sport the school offered. I dedicated more time to athletics than academics — which says a lot about my commitment to both.
Many teachers stand out, but Dave Phillips is a particularly distinct figure. He was both my basketball coach and my overall sports mentor. He genuinely encouraged us to participate. I remember in my senior year, only one other classmate and I were interested in archery. For PE class, he gave us the keys to the Plateau depot so we could fetch the archery equipment and do our thing while he supervised the rest of the students. He never said, “Do what everyone else is doing.” Instead, he encouraged us to “do whatever you like.”
How did you fall in love with basketball?
As a boarding student, you have a lot of free time. During winter, you need to find indoor activities — and naturally, the gym became the go-to option. To be involved in sports at RC at the time, you had to play basketball. I loved it from the start. I watched the older students play and admired them. I tried to improve, had fun, and played every single day without ever getting bored.
Dave Phillips brought NBA game tapes, and we’d watch them together in the AV room. That took my interest and fandom to a whole new level.
You’ve done many things in your career — writing, acting, commentating, publishing. Which of these has been the most fulfilling for you?
Writing. Writing is both instinctive and spontaneous, yet also prepared and structured. With writing, you can always pinpoint exactly what you want to express — the precise thought, feeling, or theory you had. Everything I’ve done has its own strengths and rewards, but I’ve always felt that writing allows me to convey exactly what I want to get across.
What advice would you give RC students considering a career in sports content or commentating?
Just produce. Never stop reading, learning, and developing your skills — and keep producing. It’s the best way to improve in any field, and it also helps you build a portfolio for future opportunities. Start with podcasting, writing columns — whatever speaks to you. They’ll be rough at first. When I look back at my early work, I’m embarrassed by how inadequate most of it was. But that’s how I — and really, how anyone — improves. Just like in sports: practice.
“Sports teach humility.”
Emir Alkaş’s involvement in sports at RC led him to a professional coaching career — and he continues to benefit from those experiences today as the Managing Partner at Inveon, a technology company. He is also active in the world of horse racing.
What was your involvement in sports at RC?
I was deeply involved in basketball, both as a player and later as someone who enjoyed organizing and motivating others. I have very fond memories of our practices and the sense of camaraderie that came with representing the school. The beloved Dave Phillips had the strongest influence on me — as a basketball person, a coach, and a human being. He wasn’t just teaching us how to play; he was teaching us how to compete, to work as a team, and to handle both wins and losses with perspective.
How did you decide to become a coach?
I was lucky enough to volunteer at EuroBasket 2001 as part of the press team, where I happened to catch the attention of people from Efes Pilsen (as it was called then) and was offered a coaching position. I enjoyed strategy, communication, and seeing players improve — so stepping into a coaching role felt more like a continuation than a change. I assisted top-level coaches such as Mahmuti, Blatt, Memnun, and Ataman. The most rewarding part was seeing players unlock potential they didn’t know they had. The most challenging part was balancing expectations — helping each athlete grow individually while maintaining team cohesion and competitiveness.
What role does sports play in your life today?
Today, I am the Managing Partner at Inveon, a company that builds e-commerce technologies and digital growth solutions. Sports still play a major role in my life — not just as a pastime, but as a mindset. They remain a constant reminder of discipline, analysis, and resilience — all qualities that also define my professional life.
How did you get involved in horse racing? What qualities make it unique as a sport?
Horses have been part of a family tradition started by my grandfather, Avram Barokas, in the 1970s. I currently run an equine operation in four countries — Turkey, Ireland, France, and the United States — under my family’s name. Horse racing is unique because it brings together science and instinct: genetics, training, and management on one hand, and the unpredictability of live competition on the other. It’s a sport that rewards patience, knowledge, and intuition in equal measure.
How do the skills learned through sports translate to corporate life — or do they?
They absolutely do. Sports teach you how to build teams, handle pressure, and compete fairly — all crucial lessons in business. In both fields, success relies on preparation, adaptability, and leadership. You also learn humility: sometimes the best strategy still doesn’t yield the desired result, and you have to adjust — not complain.
