M. Zafer Karataş

Chairman of the Board of Merit Group 

The love for Mardin is naturally a feeling that those living outside Mardin may feel more intensely. Therefore, whenever there is an opportunity to connect with Mardin in any way, your sense of belonging to the city immediately guides you mentally. I can proudly say that the development of our young people from Mardin in the fields of education and sports is among the social projects our group values most. In this context, in October 2016, we opened our “Necmi Karataş Special Education Practice School” in Mardin Artuklu for our children with disabilities. In 2018, within the Contemporary Life Support Association (ÇYDD), we launched the “Hayriye Karataş Let Mardin Girls Study” project, providing regular scholarships to 25 university students. In 2020, with our Merit Group Real Mardin team, in line with the goals of our Club President and esteemed coach, we have been strengthening our infrastructure to ensure sustainability in the Super League and, in the medium term, to participate in the European Championship. As someone who completed primary and secondary education in Mardin, I find it extremely valuable for our young people, especially our girls, to experience different cities for sports activities, as it contributes to their social and cultural development. I believe that these experiences at a young age will contribute to their social and cultural growth, help them make the best decisions regarding their lives, and empower them. Wishing for the continuation of our successes…