Turkish volleyball’s legendary mentor Cengiz Gollu commemorated

Istanbul, Turkey, December 29, 2014.  Eczacibasi Sports Club organized a commemoration event at the Eczacibasi sports hall for its legendary mentor Cengiz Gollu, who had been the head coach of both the women’s and men’s volleyball teams for 21 years from 1973.

Coaches, players, managers, presidents and all Turkish volleyball friends took their place prior to the beginning of the ceremony.  The lights dimmed and the crowd awaited the ceremony commemorating the passing of legendary friend, mentor and colleague, who died on December 20, 2014 in Bursa.  A slideshow and a video displayed various pictures of Gollu from his life from the 1970s until 2014 and his interview taken for the documentary about women’s volleyball by NTV Spor.

Eczacibasi Holding’s President Bulent Eczacibasi opened the ceremony with the words: “If Eczacibasi Sports Club initialized a revolution in Turkish volleyball, Cengiz Gollu's principles, approaches and contributions are the main reason behind this movement.  His efforts and players built Turkish volleyball.  He had been a role model for everybody at Eczacibasi.  Gollu’s heritage is more than countless successes and cups. We will remember him with all our respect.”

Eczacibasi Sports Club’s President Faruk Eczacibasi affectionately referred to Cengiz Gollu as “Cengiz Agabey” (“Brother Cengiz”), by describing him as an impassioned leader.  “His death impacted the entire community of volleyball, as he was a mentor and advisor to many.”  Faruk Eczacibasi presented a recognition plaque to his wife Humeyra Gollu for her support for the success of Cengiz Gollu and volleyball. After receiving the plaque Humeyra Gollu said:  “I am here in Cengiz Gollu’s second birth place with my daughters.  For this reason, we are very happy.  Eczacibasi raised Cengiz Gollu and Cengiz Gollu raised Eczacibasi teams and they became legends together. They achieved trophies both in Turkey and in Europe together.  I would like to thank all Eczacibasi family and all his colleagues who supported him during his career.  I hope success remains with the club for many years.”  After that her daughter, Arzu Gollu, who played for Eczacibasi as a captain for many years, added:  “When my father started in here I was three and I spent all my childhood and youth here.  I believe without Eczacibasi’s trust and the infrastructure they built, I could not see so many successes in my career.  I am grateful for everything they provided for me.  I hope I became a good daughter and sportswoman in my father’s eyes.  I am thankful for everything.”

Before giving the microphone to all participants, Turkish Volleyball Federation’s President Ozkan Mutlugil said:  “Our grief is huge.  We lost very important value in volleyball; however, as a volleyball family we are proud and honored.  Before he passed away, he left us together with his great successes a very important heritage and he wrote the last 56 years of history of Turkish volleyball.  With his energy, coaching, leadership, and fair-play behavior, he was a good example for all players and us.  He made big efforts to raise Turkish volleyball to today’s level.  Also players, coaches, clubs, families, federations and presidents…  This is real teamwork.  But some clubs had bigger contributions than others.  When we evaluate volleyball history, Eczacibasi and Cengiz Gollu’s successes hold decades.  I would like to thank the Eczacibasi family on behalf of the Turkish Volleyball Federation and myself.  Finally, I would like to express my deep sorrow and condolences to Gollu’s family for their loss.  We are proud to have a sportsperson such as Cengiz Gollu.”

During the commemoration, more than a hundred participants attended: Gollu’s family members, female and male players, coaches, managers and many more.  Many of them expressed their deep respect, and many unforgettable memories.

Gollu was born in Ankara on March 28, 1938.  He started in sports with handball and then he moved to volleyball.  He played for Ankara Demirspor, Kale Istatistik, Muhafizgucu ve Istatistik clubs.  He started his coaching career in 1966.  He transferred to Eczacibasi in 1973 as technical director of both the women’s and the men’s volleyball teams. During his 21 years at Eczacibasi, he had raised countless players and held 29 Turkish champions titles and over 100 trophies.  Gollu also coached the national team for many years and had many international achievements.  Gollu’s successes cannot only be described only with his sports trophies as he was also a pioneer in the women’s movement in the 1970’s.  After leaving Eczacibasi, he continued his coaching career at Galatasaray, Karsiyaka, Sokespor and Besiktas women’s teams.  During the 2007-2011 period, Gollu held the national teams’ general coordinator position.  Cengiz Gollu volleyball hall was built by the Turkish Volleyball Federation and the hall opened its doors in Bursa on June 15, 2013.