International Traditional Sports Day, A Day
Worth Celebrating
Sports are activities worth practicing for many reasons. For example, they help to keep fit and they also help to promote human values like a sense of community and friendship. However, modern sports and games are more promoted to the detriment of traditional sports and games. So, the International Traditional Sports Day is an effort to revive TSG. Here is more information about traditional sports and games (TSG), the International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG), and the reasons to celebrate International Traditional Sports Day.
Shammi Rana, Secretary-General said, that ICTSG and the Member States through their respective ministries after having Consultation Meetings agreed to enhance the diffusion of TSG knowledge and declared 14th August as “INTERNATIONAL TRADITIONAL SPORTS DAY”. In this regard, events will be held in every country under the umbrella of the Council to highlight and promote their local traditional sports and games and historical culture which will be portrayed globally through the platform of ICTSG virtually due to Covid19 restrictions. ICTSG has also extended Invitations to Ministers and Ambassadors of the Member States for the World Ministerial Conference on the eve of the International Traditional Sports Day will be held on 14 August 2021.
What are Traditional Sports and Games
Rana said that the world is slowly but steadily rising from the virus that has crippled it for nearly 2 years now. In the wake of the virus, we are organizing International Traditional Sports Day 2021 for the first time virtually. This is a worldwide event celebrating the diversity and the culture of the locals helping them secure their traditions. The games also would help boost the tourism, local traditions, and culture of the host country.
TSG are sports and games specific to a particular culture and thus practiced by the members of the society to which that culture belongs. They show traits of that specific culture through the clothing, instruments, and the like used to perform them. TSG found worldwide are gathered in a list compiled in 2003 by UNESCO and revised each year.
ICTSG and the International Traditional Sports Day
On 14th August 2017, the 4th Collective Consultation Meeting on Traditional Sports and Games was held by UNESCO in Istanbul, Turkey. It was attended by more than 80 participants from 40 countries including Sports Ministers, government officials, representatives of UNESCO Permanent Delegations, and international organizations. During that meeting, The International Council of Traditional Sports and Games was established to revive and safeguard traditional sports and games. Khalil Ahmed Khan is the President of ICTSG, and Shammi Rana is the Secretary-General. Part of ICTSG the mission is to contribute to the promotion and development of TSG, as a distinct and different category to modern sports and to encourage and support activities blending traditional and indigenous sport with culture and education.
International Council of Traditional Sports and
Games (ICTSG) activities are focused on promoting the TSG. They also help in
different ways organizations and other actors also concentrate on TSG. For
example, ICTSG organizes TSG events. One of the main projects of the ICTG which
will promote TSG is the World Traditional Sports and Games. Such an event will
draw more interest to TSG, contribute to the gathering of people under
important values as solidarity, fair play, and cultural awareness while giving
a boost to tourism. However, prior to that, ICTSG is launching the celebration
of International Traditional Sports Day. This will put more emphasis on TSG and
will draw more the attention of people all over the world to traditional sports
and games as well as the importance of such a celebration.
Why celebrate International Traditional Sports Day?
It is a fact that traditional sports and games are less practiced as more attention is drawn to modern ones. They even tend to disappear. So, celebrating this day will be an opportunity to preserve TSG while at the same time promoting important values. Activities held that day would help people discover sports and games from other cultures. They will foster peace and equality as people will discover and better understand other cultures. Making sure that people with disabilities and women are included will contribute to those values as well. Through celebrating the richness of other cultures, participants in TSG activities will also accept and love the difference between people. The first celebration of the International Traditional Sports Day will be on 14th August of this year.
The International Traditional Sports Day 2021 is
worth celebrating to increase positive attitudes much needed in the world. Some
of these attitudes are cultural tolerance, inclusion, and peace.
