Hitit, a global provider of airline and travel technology solutions, has brought its Rackets Up social responsibility project, launched in 2018, to children in Hatay. Recognized as Türkiye’s first sustainable table tennis initiative, “Rackets Up“ has provided 180,000 children across 474 schools, including those in Hatay, with access to professional table tennis training. While promoting healthy lifestyles by introducing children and young people to a new sporting discipline, the project also aims to identify and nurture young table tennis talent.
Hatay, 5 November 2026 – Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of “Good Health and Well-being” and “Reduced Inequalities,” the Hatay phase of the “Rackets Up” project was officially launched on Thursday, 5 November, at the Antakya Central Sports Hall.
The launch ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor of Hatay Alparslan Sözen, Provincial Director of National Education of Hatay Dr. Harun Tüysüz, Provincial Director of Youth and Sports of Hatay Ali Osman Bebek, President of the Turkish Table Tennis Federation (TMTF) Kerim Koç, and Hitit’s CEO Nevra Onursal Karaağaç, alongside local government representatives, Hitit volunteers, and more than 500 students and teachers from participating schools.
Combining Equipment Support with Professional Training
A total of 63 public schools selected from central Hatay and its surrounding districts will introduce their students to table tennis through the project. In addition to receiving the necessary table tennis equipment, 65 volunteer teachers will participate in training courses organized by the Turkish Table Tennis Federation, qualifying them to receive Level 1 Table Tennis Coaching Certificates.
Following their training, the teachers will begin coaching students through teams established at their respective schools. The project aims to reach nearly 20,000 students across Hatay. By combining equipment provision with professional training, the initiative establishes a sustainable model that enables table tennis to become a year-round activity in participating schools.
As part of the project, table tennis equipment will also be provided to the Hatay Children's Homes Coordination Center, İskenderun Hacı Pervin Tosyalı Children's Homes, Hatay Children's Homes Complex, Hatay Serdar Demir Children's Homes Complex, and Hatay Nursing Home, Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Center. This initiative aims to extend the project's social impact and improve access to table tennis for people of different age groups across the province.
Speaking at the “Rackets Up” launch ceremony, Hatay Deputy Governor Alparslan Sözen said: “It is essential that our children, who represent the future of our country, develop not only academically, but also through sports and social activities. We believe that the launch of the “Rackets” Up project today is a valuable opportunity for our young people, and we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to and supported this initiative.”
474 Schools, 495 Teachers, 180,000 Students
Speaking at the ceremony, Hitit’s CEO Nevra Onursal Karaağaç stated: "We launched “Rackets Up” in 2018 to introduce children to sports at an early age and encourage regular physical activity. Through our project, carried out in cooperation with the Turkish Table Tennis Federation, we have reached thousands of children across different regions of Türkiye.
Our journey began in Çorum and continued through Isparta, Trabzon, Şanlıurfa, Sakarya, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, and Kırşehir. Today, Hatay becomes the latest destination of Rackets Up.
This year, we are providing table tennis equipment to 62 public schools in Hatay and offering professional coaching training to teachers. With the inclusion of Hatay, our project has now reached 474 schools, 180,000 students, and 495 teachers who have received coaching training.
At Hitit, we believe that our contribution to society should extend beyond the technology we develop. Through “Rackets Up”, we aim not only to introduce children to table tennis but also to make sports an integral part of their everyday school experience.
Seeing a child pick up a table tennis racket for the first time today and go on to represent Türkiye in international competitions would be one of the greatest achievements of this project. We believe Hatay will also nurture promising young talent and inspire new success stories.”