International Robotics Competition in Trabzon: Young Elites Shine in Turkey

Excitement Begins at Hayri Gür Hall The coastal city of Trabzon in northern Turkey has been hosting one of the most prestigious scientific and technological events of 2026 since yesterday. The "Off-Season" robotics competition, held under international FRC standards, is being organized for the first time in the Black Sea (Karadeniz) region. In this competition, which began on July 10 and continues until tomorrow, 21 selected teams from major Turkish cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, and Kocaeli are participating alongside local teams from Trabzon [1].

This event, taking place at the Hayri Gür Sports Hall, provides a platform for over 400 high school students to challenge the robots they designed and built throughout the year in a professional and competitive environment. The primary goal of these competitions is to promote engineering culture and introduce youth to the latest achievements in automation and artificial intelligence [2].

The Union of Technology and Sports: The Role of Trabzonspor A distinguishing feature of this year's competition is the strategic partnership between the Trabzonspor Sports Club and the Trabzon Fen High School. The robotics team "Ro6one," formed with direct support from the club, serves as the main host. Trabzonspor officials emphasized that their social responsibility extends beyond football fields, and supporting young elites in scientific fields is part of the club's long-term vision for the development of Trabzon [1][3].

During the opening ceremony, Ahmet Gülay Yüksel, Deputy Mayor of Trabzon, praised the students' efforts, calling them the future scientists of Turkey. He noted that hosting such international events solidifies Trabzon's position as an innovation hub in the region [2].

Beyond Robot Building: 21st Century Skills Semra Muşra Bektaş, an information technology instructor and project coordinator, told the media that this is not just a technical competition. Through this process, students learn vital skills such as teamwork, financial management, project planning, and problem-solving. In this edition, robots must accurately and quickly launch yellow balls into target baskets in a complex game, requiring precise software programming and advanced mechanical design [1].

Awards and Achievements At the end of this three-day marathon, awards will be presented to the top teams in 20 different categories. These awards include titles such as "Engineering Excellence," "Most Inspirational Team," "Team Spirit," and the "Creativity Award." The presence of international judges and scientific observers has brought the quality of these competitions close to global standards [2]. This event provides an exceptional opportunity for learning and experience exchange, not only for participants but for all technology enthusiasts in the Black Sea region.