On 25 April 2010 Sabancı Foundation's "Turkey's Changemakers" program hosts Bener Erkorur a sports trainer, who works for the personal development of persons with autism.

Bener Erkorur graduated from the School of Physical Education and Sports at Marmara University in Istanbul, which is one of the leading higher education institutions in Turkey. He also continues his M.A. studies at the Institute of Health Sciences at Marmara University currently.

Bener Erkorur established the Foundation of Sportism Autism Youth and Sports Club (Sportism Foundation) and works as the director of the club. Sportism is a program that unites sports with people with autism. It is not a healing program, but rather a lifestyle program that includes special sports training for autistic persons.

Bener Erkorur helps persons with autism playing sports under the supervision of special trainers and makes a difference in their lives with the support of Sportism Foundation. The sports activities help persons with autism with their anger management and develop their personal and social skills. All of the participants have experienced positive language and social developments after the training.

Athletes trained in the Sportism Foundation participate in various tournaments organized by the Turkish Special Athletes Sports Federation. For instance, 4 athletes from the Sportism Foundation competed in the Turkey Championship organized by the Federation in 2009 in Antalya. Burak Erdoğan is one of 20 members of the Sportism Foundation Team, and he is the first tennis player with autism in Turkey.

For more information: http://www.sportizm.org.tr/English/