International Traditional Sports Day 2021: Shammi Rana Secretary-General International Council of Traditional Sports and Games

 

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 14^th August 2017, the 4^th 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 14^th 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.

 

Shammi Rana visited for the possibilities of organizing Traditional Sports and Games in South Korea

UNESCO TSG visited for the possibilities of organizing Traditional Sports and Games in South Korea

 

Chairman Mr. Khalil Ahmed Khan and Rapporteur Mr. Shammi Rana with Mr. Lee Sand Member Parliament of Ulsan, Republic of South Korea.

UNESCO is the United Nations’ leading agency for Physical Education and Sports events. Guidance and assistance services are provided for governments, NGOs, and experts to debate the evolving challenges of physical education and sports activities. The organization also advises and assists member states, wishing to strengthen and elaborate on their training system in physical education. Furthermore, it offers its expertise in the implementation and designing of development programs in the domain of sport.

UNESCO provides advisory services, guidance, and assessments in related areas such as culture and social development; for example, to promote and develop traditional games and sport.

This program mainly focuses on the following diverse themes:

•              Sport for Peace and Development

•              Anti-Doping and anti-corruption

•              Women and Sport

•              Quality Physical Education among youngsters

•              International Charter for Physical Activity and Physical Education and Sport

•              Values Education through Sport activities

In addition, UNESCO plays the role of an administrative unit for the Inter-governmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS). This Committee, composed of a total of 18 elected Members States, has been created to promote international cooperation in the area of physical activity to strengthening friendship, peace understanding, and mutual respect between peoples.

Chairman Mr. Khalil Ahmed Khan and Rapporteur Mr. Shammi Rana with Assistant Secretary-General Korean National Commission for UNESCO Mr. Kim Kwi-bae

Recently UNESCO Traditional Sports and Games committee leaders visited South Korea for finding the legal possibilities of hosting the 5th Collective Consultation meeting of UNESCO of Traditional Sports & Games and World UNESCO Traditional Games in South Korea.

Chairman Mr. Khalil Ahmed Khan and Rapporteur Mr. Shammi Rana with Chairman of Ulsan Metropolitan City Mr. Hwang Se-Young

Chairman of Advisory Committee of Traditional Sports and Games, UNESCO Mr. Khalil Ahmed Khan and Rapporteur Mr. Shammi Rana Advisory Committee on Traditional Sports and Games, UNESCO recently paid visit to South Korea for organizing Traditional Sports and Games in their visit they visited UNESCO Korean National office in Seoul, Korea and they had a brief meeting with Assistant Secretary-General Korean National Commission for UNESCO Mr. Kim Kwi-bae and Mr. Myoung Shim Kim Senior Program Specialist for the possible support of UNESCO project on Traditional Sports and Games.

Both leaders visit two different cities in South Korea and they were welcomed by the City Government of Gimhae and City Government of Gyeongju.

The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, meeting in Port Louis (Mauritius), has decided to engrave traditional Korean wrestling also known as Ssirum or Ssireum, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, on the basis of a joint application by the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Traditional Korean wrestling sport—“Ssirum” in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and “Ssireum” in the Republic of Korea—has a very deep significance for all Koreans. Fundamentally linked to the land of agriculture, it is both a national sport and a very popular cultural practice in Korea. Competitions are regularly organized during agricultural events or festivals linked to different the cycle of the seasons.

UNESCO TSG members with Mr. Lee Sand Member’s Parliament of Republic of Ulsan South Korea and Mr. Lee Kee-heung President of Korean Sport & Olympic Committee

Both Leaders from UNESCO meet with Chairman of Ulsan Metropolitan City Mr. Hwang Se-Young, Mr. Lee Sand Member’s Parliament of Republic of Ulsan South Korea and Mr. Lee Kee-heung President of Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and discuss hosting an upcoming event in Ulsan, South Korea.

They also had a meeting with officials of Korea Halal Authority for the sponsorship for the Traditional Sports and Games, UNESCO.

This whole scenario is regarding ongoing development on the promotion of the UNESCO concept on traditional sports and games and this is about member activities to promote the TSG concept throughout the world, where are trying to get support from the different member states of UNESCO to build a community promoting sports in Korea.

This trip to Korea by both leaders of UNESCO was for the possibilities of hosting the upcoming event of UNESCO on traditional sports and games in Korea

Promoting and Safeguarding Traditional Sports and Games (TSG) as intangible cultural heritage and sports practices is a key challenge for the future development of societies and sport.

TSG enhances the intercultural dialogue and peace, reinforce youth empowerment and promote ethical sports practices all around.

“The celebration of traditional and indigenous forms of sports and games, which derive from the roots of many different communities, is a growing future for contemporary culture.”

The establishment of a Group of Friends of UNESCO Traditional Sports and Games was then decided to team up with the Member States and join forces. Over the past few months, Member States have shown interest and support in this domain by signing the Letter of Commitment and joining the Group. Members of the Group of Friends are encouraged to take ownership of the TSG initiatives at the national level through consultations, policies, cultural events.

This may lead to the Member States’ authorize with a particular focus on advocating for the promotion and safeguarding of traditional sports and games with the best guidance and technical support from UNESCO’s Secretariat in close cooperation with the United Nations system.

Shammi Rana Lauded For Promoting Traditional Sports & Games

The Government of Punjab recognized Mr. Shammi Rana for exemplary service rendered in the development of Traditional Sports and Games. The award ceremony was held in Amritsar in late January.

Rana was also nominated for “The Masters Hall of Fame™” 2019 with the announcement of winners scheduled for July in Costa Mesa, California. His nomination is for promoting the martial arts and Traditional Sports worldwide.

Since 2017, Rana has served as Rapporteur and Secretary-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Traditional Sports and Games. With over two decades of experience as an athlete and a coach, he also serves as Secretary-General of the Asian Belt Wrestling Federation.

Rana is also an accomplished businessman. He is CEO of Krish Inc., an import/export company, and a director at Vansh Inc., an international trading company.

In his UNESCO role, Rana promotes the mission of Traditional Sports and Games. UNESCO supports Traditional Sports and Games as a vehicle to broaden intercultural awareness, enable youth development, advance ethical sports practices, and feature indigenous cultural practices around the world.

That responsibility fits into UNESCO’s broader mission of building peace, eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable development, and encouraging intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, and cultural development.