Turkey to Host Four World Championships in 2027

Deaf athletes in Turkey compete in 24 branches. Of these, 16 are affiliated with their own federations and 8 with other federations. President Gözel, the guest of the AA Eller Konuşur (Hands Speak) program launched by Anadolu Agency, described this picture.

Gözel said the biggest problem in sports is communication. Gözel said it is very difficult to reach an agreement with a deaf person without an interpreter. Gözel added that sign language interpreters are assigned to national team camps and competitions so that athletes can express themselves comfortably.

Gözel said families have important responsibilities in bringing deaf children into sports. Stating that the state has all its resources available, Gözel said families can attend every competition or apply to the Provincial Directorates of Youth and Sports in the 81 provinces. Gözel also stressed that families need to change how they view their children's disability.

Gözel reminded that a total of 26 medals were won at the Deaflympics held in Japan in 2025, that the football national team won gold, that gold came in the 110 meter hurdles in athletics, and that the women's volleyball team was Olympic runner-up. The men's volleyball team finished third, while 7 medals were won in wrestling and medals were also won in karate. Gözel added that they had only recently taken office and that a 9-month preparation process was experienced.

At the end of this month, about 60 athletes will compete in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling at the European Wrestling Championship in Vanadzor, Armenia. Gözel said the roadmap for the 2029 Deaflympics in Athens, Greece, will be shared with athletes, coaches and administrators shortly.

Gözel announced that the Deaf World Wrestling Championship will be held in Ankara in 2027. Gözel also said that the women's and men's volleyball world championships, the Deaf Football World Championship and the Table Tennis World Championship will be held in Turkey. According to Gözel's information, this will be the first time a country hosts four world championships at the same time.