Carom
ANKARA - The Turkish Billiard Federation has elected a new board during a special meeting in Ankara. 40-year-old Ersan Ercan, former artistic player and in his daily life a pharmasist, is the new president. The (forced) departure of the previous president, Ugur Kurugollu, paves the way for a comeback of Semih Sayginer. The Turkey's top player stopped playing tournaments for his country after a huge conflict with the chairman.
The new board consists of a president and eight members: four of whom are former players. Melih Aksoy also belongs to the new board. He is a good friend of Semih Sayginer. Intimates and friends announced Semih's comeback to international stage for the World Cup in Porto (end of August).
Nurmettin Karakurt, the father of two young talents Omer and Berkay, was also elected to the new board, which was installed in the Angora Hotel in Ankara, where 116 delegates from the government and the Turkish clubs were presented.
Ersan Ercan was chosen over Ozdemir Kursat (the candidate of the previous chairman) with 72 against 44 votes.
The special meeting was issued at the request of a big number of delegates, who started collecting signatures six months ago. There were suspicions concerning grants, including for the World Cup in artistic in Samsun.
The main reason for the new election was a fight between Ugur Kurugullu and Sports minister about subsidies to the federation.
The previous chairman, Kurugullu, was suspended for two months by a committee after investigations. That was not enough to remove him from the federation. However, he decided not to candidate himself, to not take the risk for a longer suspension.
The old board was sent home completely after the elections. The new board with Ersan Ercan as its leader has announced major changes for the future of Turkish billiards.