Sport important tool to defeat terrorism: Turkish minister

Turkey's sports minister said on Monday if the youth was kept engaged in sports they will not drift toward terrorism.

"Sports is an important tool to defeat terrorism. [We should] guide children to sports halls instead of the mountains," Osman Askin Bak said, referring to hideouts of the PKK terrorist organization.

His remarks came in an interview at the Anadolu Agency Editor's Desk.

"Turkey is establishing serious sports facilities through municipalities appointed trustee by the government in eastern and southeastern Turkey," Bak said.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people.

More than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children, have been killed since July 2015 alone when the group resumed its armed campaign against the country.

Speaking about “People's Garden” project, Bak said: "It offers an insight into environmentalism and societal urban life."

The People’s Garden Project converts old stadiums and airports into parks.

Speaking about the president's national Kiraathane project, he said: "The Kiraathane would provide a quiet environment where young people can study and have a cup of tea."

Kiraathane, which literally means reading houses, are traditional places in Turkish culture dating back to the Ottoman era where people used to drink tea and coffee while reading books, newspapers and magazines.

On June 7, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan unveiled his proposal for the reading houses.

Pinning hopes on being hosts for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, Bak said Turkey was well prepared.

Turkey and Germany submitted their bids to host UEFA EURO 2024.

Bak added: "Many new stadiums have been built in Turkey and the stadiums in Germany are old and crumbling. We have the advantage of enthusiasm and transportation for the tournament."

He condemned an attack on the car of German footballer of Turkish descent Ilkay Gundogan by unidentified persons in the German city of Cologne last Saturday.

Gundogan and another German player with Turkish roots Mesut Ozil met with Erdogan while he was in London in mid-May. The duo presented their autographed jerseys to Erdogan.

Local media linked the attack on Gundogan to his recent meeting with Erdogan in London.

On the same day, May 14, German Football Federation (DFB) head Reinhard Grindel slammed the meeting, alleging that Ozil and Gundogan were exploited by Erdogan's election campaign.

"This behavior towards Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan is very ugly," Bak said.

Answering a question on his favorite team in 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, Bak said: "My favorite team is Germany with its disciplined game."