Like many Westport parents, Serkan and Nesko Elden have supported the sports their children, Efe and Deniz, played while growing up here.
Sports, nutrition, wellness and business are all important parts of the couple’s background.
Nesko is a high-level athlete who has her own coaching and consulting business. Serkan works in international finance, and teaches university courses.
Serkan, Deniz, Nesko and Efe Elden.
Serkan’s father Ahmet followed his dream of becoming a national athlete and physical education teacher in his native Turkey, inspired by the nation’s leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who said “healthy minds will only exist in a physically fit young generation.”
For 35 years, Ahmet and his wife Ozgun taught thousands of youngsters. Serkan and his sibling, Sibel, saw the importance of their parents’ work.
On Saturday — in honor of Serkan’s 50th birthday — his family and friends launched the Ahmet-Ozgyn Elden Scholarship for Raising Student Athletes.” It will help student-athletes in his native country pursue their dreams.
The day had another, equally special meaning: It was Teachers’ Day in Turkey.
Donations can be made to the Mohonk Foundation; put “Elden Athletic Students Scholarships” on the memo line, and send to Serkan Alan Elden, Mohonk, 66 Weston Road, Westport, CT 06880. For more information, call 203-451 4727 or email info@capitalinka.com.