ALANYA – Alanya International Beach Sports Center has achieved one of the highest accreditations granted by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), earning the prestigious “Centre of Excellence” status. The accreditation certificate and naming rights agreement were signed simultaneously during a ceremony attended by local and international stakeholders.
Already known for hosting major international sporting events, the Alanya International Beach Sports Center is now set to become a global hub for athlete development, training camps, and educational programs, further strengthening its position in international sports tourism.
The signing ceremony was attended by Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik, Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ALTSO) President Eray Erdem, Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV) President and Mayoral Advisor Abdurrahman Açıkalın, Alanya Touristic Hoteliers Association (ALTİD) President Cem Özcan, Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) Vice President Alper Sedat Aslandaş, FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Director Hitesh Malhotra, and representatives of 23 Project.
Alanya Becomes Home to the World’s Second FIVB Centre of Excellence
The accreditation document was jointly signed by FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Director Hitesh Malhotra, TVF Vice President Alper Sedat Aslandaş, Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik, and ALTAV President Abdurrahman Açıkalın.
With this certification, the Alanya International Beach Sports Center has become only the second facility in the world to meet the FIVB’s highest international standards. The first Centre of Excellence is located in the Netherlands, making Alanya the second destination worldwide to receive this distinguished designation.
To qualify as a Centre of Excellence, a facility must satisfy strict FIVB criteria, including Olympic-standard quartz sand, year-round training and competition opportunities, multi-court capacity for simultaneous team training, advanced lighting systems for night matches, recovery and medical facilities, and close integration with high-quality accommodation infrastructure.
“We Are Extending the Tourism Season to 12 Months Through Sports Tourism”
Speaking at the ceremony, Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik emphasized the city’s long-term tourism vision.
“We have always stated that we are determined to transform Alanya from a destination known primarily for last-minute tourism into a city that combines sea, sun, sand, and cultural heritage. Sports tourism has been the strongest path toward achieving this goal. Built with the support of philanthropists across Alanya, our facility has earned the ‘Centre of Excellence’ designation in its very first year. This achievement confirms that our vision for Alanya is producing tangible results. Today, our center has the infrastructure to operate throughout all 12 months of the year. Our goal is to make Alanya a city where sports tourism drives planned, high-quality, and sustainable tourism growth.”
“Alanya Is the Only City in the World Hosting Four International Events Annually”
ALTAV President and Mayoral Advisor Abdurrahman Açıkalın highlighted the growing contribution of sports tourism to the local economy.
“When you create something truly valuable, athletes continue to come to Alanya despite regional conflicts, rising oil prices, and increasing airfare costs. As a team, we have complete confidence in sports tourism. We organize 24 events throughout the year. Alanya is the only city in the world capable of hosting four international events within a single year. I would like to thank all institutions and organizations that contributed to this success.”
Naming Rights Agreement Signed with 23 Project
The ceremony also featured the signing of a major sponsorship agreement aimed at enhancing the center’s sustainable development, international visibility, and brand value.
Under the agreement, the naming rights of the Alanya International Beach Sports Center have been granted to 23 Project for a period of three years.
With its new accreditation, Alanya is expected to further strengthen its appeal as a destination for international sports camps and major sporting events, increasing its share of the rapidly growing global sports tourism market.
