The second Beşler Cup Tennis Tournament, organised by Beşler Group, brought together sporting competition, families, different generations and players from neighbouring provinces in Gaziantep. The tournament offered a valuable example of how the private sector can contribute to community life.

Gaziantep, a city whose strong identity has been shaped by manufacturing and trade, became a meeting place centred on sport during the Beşler Cup. Organised by Beşler Group at the Mehmet Şimşek Tennis Complex on 3–8 October 2026, the tournament stood out as much for the sense of togetherness in the stands as for the competition on court. Families attended with their children, while women and men, young and old, followed the matches, bringing tennis to a broad cross-section of the community.

As guests of Beşler Group, we witnessed the event firsthand, and this inclusive atmosphere was one of its most valuable qualities. The players’ excitement and determination to win were matched by the spectators’ support and the time families spent together. With its spirit of peace, fellowship and mutual respect, the gathering showed that sport’s contribution to city life cannot be measured by results alone.

A regional gathering becomes a shared experience

Having first brought together amateur tennis players from seven cities in 2025, Beşler Cup expanded its reach to eight provinces in its second year. A total of 356 players—142 women and 214 men—from Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Adana, Mersin, Adıyaman, Hatay and Batman reinforced the tournament’s regional character.

Bringing players from different cities onto the same courts created opportunities to meet and exchange experiences as well as compete. The value of such events extends beyond the trophies awarded at their conclusion. Building new relationships, learning from fellow players and involving families all contribute to the development of a sporting culture across the region.

The tournament’s category structure supported this approach. Matches were held in seven categories: girls and boys aged 12–18; beginner women and men aged over 18; women and men aged over 18; and men aged over 40. Giving experienced amateurs and newcomers a place within the same event was a valuable choice that encouraged participation. For young players and beginners in particular, experiencing a tournament environment offered meaningful encouragement to stay involved in the sport.

Beşler Group’s vision turns corporate support into community benefit

A tournament bringing together participants from different cities and age groups requires strong coordination and thoughtful hospitality alongside its sporting programme. Beşler Group executives Züleyha Çakmak and Sinan Çakmak, who served as tournament directors, took on an important responsibility in making this large gathering possible. The warm, inclusive atmosphere we observed at Beşler Cup was the clearest expression of the effort invested in the organisation. Creating an event that families could enjoy with their children, that attracted strong participation from women players and that allowed different generations to share the same excitement gave the tournament a wider significance. This vision translated Beşler Group’s support into a tangible community benefit experienced directly by those attending.

The food served to players and guests throughout the tournament added to this welcoming atmosphere. Participants were treated to delicious pizzas and pasta from No5 Coffee & Bakery during the event. After the excitement of the matches, enjoying freshly prepared, chef-made pizzas gave them an opportunity to combine sport with a memorable culinary experience.

The unifying power of sport reaches inside the company

One of the tournament’s most striking features was the participation of Beşler Group board members, who took to the courts as competitors, alongside employees from across the group. With management and staff competing side by side, the unifying power of sport also became part of the company’s own shared experience.

Extending industrial strength into community contribution

Beşler Group’s support for Beşler Cup demonstrates how an industrial group’s relationship with the region in which it operates can extend beyond production and employment. Committing resources to sport represents an investment that can help young people gain new experiences, encourage women and girls to participate in sporting life and strengthen connections between cities.

Holding the tournament for a second time was also significant in terms of continuity. Recurring events can establish a place in players’ calendars while providing a stronger foundation for the development of the local sporting community. Beşler Cup’s wider participation in its second year was a positive sign in this direction.

The contributions of Mesut Çakmak, Chairman of Beşler Group and President of the Turkish Flour Industrialists’ Federation (TUSAF), together with Beşler Group Vice Chairman Kemal Çakmak and the group’s management, demonstrated the company’s commitment to this approach. The tournament’s prize programme provided another tangible form of support: winners in each category received SPX–Sport Point Extreme gift cards worth TRY 20,000, while runners-up received cards worth TRY 10,000.

In a thoughtful gesture befitting the scale of the event, every player also received a tennis racket bag, ensuring that all participants left Beşler Cup with a meaningful keepsake.

The city’s support comes to the fore at the awards ceremony

The closing awards ceremony celebrated the players’ achievements while also highlighting the support the tournament received across the city. Guests included Mesut Çakmak, Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin and Neslihan Ayhan Çeber, the wife of the Governor of Gaziantep and a strong supporter of the event, alongside numerous local dignitaries. Trophies were presented to the successful players by the attending officials.

Mesut Çakmak

Addressing participants at the ceremony, Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin thanked Beşler Group for its contributions to sport and the city’s social life. She gave special recognition to Züleyha Çakmak for her work on the organisation, noting her tireless efforts for Gaziantep and the many valuable initiatives she had helped deliver. Şahin emphasised that Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality would continue to stand alongside sport and athletes and provide every possible support for initiatives in this field.

Representatives of local government, sporting organisations, business and civil society shared in the players’ excitement, reflecting the city’s embrace of Beşler Cup. The determination and competitive spirit displayed on court found their fitting conclusion in the enthusiasm of the awards ceremony.

The strongest impression we took away from Gaziantep was the warmth with which families, players and city representatives came together. Beşler Group’s sporting initiative has quickly grown into a valued event for the city. In the atmosphere created by people playing sport and celebrating together, Beşler Cup offered a tangible example of the contribution the private sector can make to community life.