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Sometimes, a single football can open the path to a girl's dreams and transform her aspirations into reality. Adidas, in collaboration with Kızlar Sahada, has launched the "İlk Topum" and "İlk Takımım" projects to introduce girls to football across Turkey. These initiatives do more than just expose girls to the sport; they encourage them to stay on the field, build confidence in themselves, and chase their dreams.

We visited Rize and played football with the girls, witnessing firsthand how the project goes beyond being just a sports initiative. The excitement in the children's eyes, their courage on the field, and the energy they bring to the game are all testaments to a genuine transformation story.

The project, launched in 2021 with the slogan "Let's take the first shot at prejudices together," aims to ensure girls are introduced to football at an early age, making the sport more accessible and supporting them in finding their place on the field. "İlk Topum" quickly spread across Turkey and evolved into "İlk Takımım," which not only introduces girls to football but also gives them the experience of being part of a team.

The project has reached over 300 girls across 13 schools in 10 cities, including Ankara, Antalya, Balıkesir, Bursa, Gaziantep, Hatay, Istanbul, Izmir, Konya, and Rize. In Rize, a girl from a village school became the first to win a sports high school scholarship. Inspired by her, a boy is preparing for the same scholarship this year. In Ankara, a girls' football team formed under the project became the city champion in a competition. In Istanbul, a student from Şişli became the captain of her high school team, while another student plays for Feriköy Spor Kulübü Kız Takımı at a professional level. In Gaziantep, three students are preparing for sports high school exams, and in Hatay, girls participate in football matches during physical education classes with boys. These stories showcase that girls can achieve anything when given the opportunity.

Onur Demircan, Adidas Türkiye Senior Marketing Director, commented: "Unfortunately, girls face invisible barriers that tell them they 'can't' from a very young age. Our aim is to break these barriers and encourage them to step onto the field. We believe it's essential to free sports from pressure and expectations, returning it to its most natural state."

Kiraz Öcal, Co-Founder of Kızlar Sahada, stated: "As Kızlar Sahada, we continuously work to transform gender biases that label girls as 'can't' into the belief that they 'can.' Every change that touches a girl's life is the beginning of a long-term, sustainable, and larger transformation. The goals of the 'İlk Takımım' project directly contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 5, and 10, which focus on healthy and quality life, gender equality, and reducing inequalities. Therefore, we see football not just as a sports category but as a powerful tool with the potential to transform societies. Our ultimate goal is to make our country and the world a better place."