Bilkent news interviewed Dr.Alper Uğraş, Program Director of Tennis and USPTR Instructor, who spends a large amount of time on the courts, instructing the sport that he has been playing since 1979. Alper Uğraş graduated from İstanbul Anadolu Hisarı Gençlik ve Spor Akademisi, where upon graduation, he continued to work as a Research Assistant in the area of Sports Medicine for three years. After receiving his MS from Gazi University, he worked as an instructor abroad, earning many sports-related certificates, (basketball, taekwondo, tennis, Life Saving etc.). He has been working as an Assistant Athletic Director for the Bilkent University Physical Education and Sports Center since 1996.
   Uğraş stated that, in recent years, tennis has become a very popular sport through out the world. In Turkey, however, the general population does not have the opportunity to play tennis due to the excessive cost of equipment and a lack of courts. He believes that tennis education should begin in primary school and the students who show exceptional talent, should have the opportunity to have their skills further developed to the professional level through increased, intensive training. To achieve this, Turkey needs well qualified coaches.
    “Bilkent students are extremely interested in tennis, and about 620 people are taking credit or non-credit tennis courses. These courses do not only focus on the theory of the game but also on the idea that tennis should be fun! The main aim of these courses is to instill in the students the benefits of a healthy lifestyle through sports” says Uğraş. He also suggests that students should enroll in at least one accredited sports course during their academic lives.
    Bilkent has three outdoor courts available, 1 on East Campus and 2 outdoor courts on Main. Too cold to play outdoors in the winter? How about taking advantage of the indoor courts on Main Campus! Right next to the dormitories on Main Campus, the covered and heated courts offer a perfect environment to play from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. All that’s needed is for you to call ext. 1993 or ext. 1651 and reserve a court.
   Have fun!