Erdener, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was voted unanimously by the ruling Executive Board of the NOCT to replace Togay Bayatli, who has stood down for health reasons after eight years in the position.

The Executive Board decided to name Bayatli Honorary President of the NOCT for life.

Erdener, 61, was a successful athlete and basketball plyaer as a youngster before concentrating on his medical career, specialising in the theory and implementation of oculoplastic, mobile eye prostheses and orbital implants.

In 2000 he became the chief executive of Hacettepe University's School of Medicine and in 2007 rector of the faculty of medicine.

Erdener has combined his medical career with becoming an influenital figure in the world of sports politics, becoming the first Turk to be elected as head of an international federation when he became President of FITA in 2005.

"The World Archery community is proud that Dr Erdener has now been elected as the new Turkish NOC President," said Tom Dielen, the secretary general of FITA.

"This new position at the head of the Turkish NOC makes of Dr Erdener one of the few to have leading roles both in an international sports federation and a NOC."

Among the first important decisions Erdener, an IOC member since 2008, will be involved in if whether Istanbul should bid for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

The Turkish Government is due to make a decision later this year.

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