With the proclamation of the Republic, sports became not only a physical activity but also a social movement associated with concepts such as national defense and national identity. Significant strides were made in sports during the early republican period, spanning from 1923 to 1950. This period is divided into three distinct phases based on the institutional organizations that guided physical education and sports activities.

The first institutional organization of this period was the Turkish Sports Clubs Federation (1923-1936). This institution operated between 1922 and 1936. The organization aimed to raise the new generation as healthy, disciplined individuals with national consciousness. It brought sports clubs together and facilitated the establishment of federations.

With the dissolution of the Turkish Sports Associations Federation, it was replaced by the Turkish Sports Institution. This institution operated between 1936 and 1938. While organizing physical education and sports activities of the period within the Republican People's Party, it adopted the principle of statism. It was replaced by the General Directorate of Physical Education, established by Law No. 3530.

During the period of the General Directorate of Physical Education, physical education and sports were considered a public service. This institution operated between 1938 and 1982. A nationwide sports campaign was launched. Sports dormitories were established, women began to participate in sports activities, and physical education class hours were increased in middle schools and high schools. Participation in both domestic and international sporting events took place, and significant achievements were made.

During the early republican period, the activities carried out in the field of physical education and sports gave sports an institutional identity. Sports became integrated into both education and social life. The sporting activities carried out during this period, which included the war years, aimed to prepare young people for the defense of the country on the one hand, and to achieve national development and cultural identity on the other.

In this section, we have attempted to provide information about the stages of change and development in the field of physical education and sports in our country during the Early Republican Period (1923-1950).