ISTANBUL

The 8th Ethnosport Forum began on Saturday in the Turkish Riviera city of Antalya looking ahead to Ethnosports 2027, a massive global sporting event designed to bring together traditional athletes from across the world on a single competitive platform.

At the forum, organized by the World Ethnosport Union with the aim of shaping the future of traditional sports and preserving cultural heritage, Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan, head of the World Ethnosport Union, delivered the opening remarks.

"We are now entering a new era in which traditional sports are becoming increasingly institutionalized, their standards are being established, their organizational capacity is strengthening, and their recognition at the international level continues to expand," he said.

"Over the years, the Ethnosport Forum has evolved from a platform for ideas into a global space for consultation and governance. We have now reached a critical threshold, one that requires us to move beyond discussing intentions and focus on producing tangible outcomes. This, indeed, is the true significance of our gathering today," he said.

"In this context, Ethnosports 2027 stands as the most concrete, ambitious, and comprehensive outcome of these forums. This vision aims to create a global platform where traditional sports and games from around the world will come together under one roof, with structured rules, competition systems, and an institutional framework that will serve as an international reference point," he noted.

"This initiative marks the beginning of a new era for traditional sports. Each discipline will no longer remain confined to its local geography, but will instead gain global recognition as practiced, followed, competed in, and respected worldwide," he said.

"We believe Ethnosports 2027 will symbolize the resurgence of traditional sports, serving as a milestone that accelerates this movement, strengthens bridges between cultures, and promotes peace and solidarity on a global scale," he said.

"Indeed, we are seeking ways to live together in harmony. We know that true respect and lasting peace can only be achieved through solidarity. Our traditions call us toward compassion and unity," he added.

Situation in Gaza and Iran

Erdogan also highlighted the deteriorating situation in Gaza and Iran.

"Today, we witness heartbreaking realities: in Gaza, children whose homes have been destroyed by bombs are forced to turn funeral rituals into games. But this is no game," Erdogan said.

"Likewise, we cannot accept a world where children in Iran, waiting for the school bell to start playing, are instead subjected to the sounds of missiles," he said.

"As we set hopeful goals for the future, we must do so under the shadow of dialogue, not conflict. This is a responsibility we can fulfil together. The mission of the World Ethnosport Union is to create a platform where every language and every culture finds its place. And from this moment forward, our common language must be peace," he noted.

"With these words, I hereby declare the beginning of our Ethnosports 2027 journey and express my sincere belief that this project, central to our forum’s agenda, will successfully take its place on the global stage," he added.

Osman Askin Bak, Turkiye’s youth and sports minister, also said the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and the war between Iran and the US/Israel have deeply damaged the belief in world peace among conscientious societies, and stressed that Türkiye, under the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, continues to assume responsibility in all areas, including sports and culture, for the establishment of peace, stability, and justice in the region and the world.

Bak added that they will continue to make every effort to achieve a ceasefire, restore calm and stability, and build a lasting post-war reconciliation.

Ethnosports 2027

Saying that one of the top items of this year’s forum is the Ethnosports 2027 event, Bak said: "This event, where athletes from all over the world will meet on a single platform with feelings of brotherhood and fair competition, is a historic opportunity for ethnosports."

"In this valuable consultation space in Antalya, we will enrich the preparation processes and sustainable management models of Ethnosports 2027 with our strong suggestions. We will evaluate every detail, from building a fair competitive environment to effective communication and global marketing strategies, with expert names," he said.

"We make sure traditional sports will be more visible at the national and international level," he said.

"We will exchange ideas on the scope of the Ethnosports 2027 event, collaborations, and our roadmap for the future," he added.

Noting the importance of the forum for the future of traditional sports and their support for ethnosports, Farid Gayibov, Azerbaijan’s youth and sports minister, also said: "Türkiye became the sport center of the world."

The event – set to run until Sunday afternoon – brings together more than 100 high-level state officials, including over 15 ministers of sports and culture, alongside international delegations, representatives from World Ethnosport Union member federations, academics, and traditional sports athletes from 29 countries.

Serving as the global communication partner, Anadolu has supported the forum, which will focus on strategic issues related to the sustainability of ethnosports.

The forum focuses on sustainability in ethnosports and strengthening international cooperation, emphasizing values such as tradition, solidarity, respect, and peace.

Since its inception, the union has worked to preserve traditional sports and games, promote intercultural interaction, and raise awareness in the field. The forum is examining short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to support these goals.

Academics, federation representatives, and researchers are taking part in panel discussions about international cooperation, financial sustainability, and media strategies. The meeting is also considering proposals to make traditional sports and game awards more accessible to a broader audience.

A key topic is the Ethnosports 2027 event, with experts set to assess its vision, organizational structure, international participation strategies, sponsorship models, and media planning.

The forum drew representatives from 50 institutional members across 29 countries affiliated with the World Ethnosport Union, along with government officials, federation representatives, academics, and researchers.

Organizers say the forum’s sessions and discussions will help shape the future of traditional sports and serve as a starting point for preparations for Ethnosports 2027.

Ethnosports 2027, a massive, visionary global sporting event designed to bring traditional athletes from across the world together on a single competitive platform, seeks to institutionalize traditional sports and games according to international standards, establishing them as a global brand. During the forum, all operational processes from the preparation phase to implementation strategies are being discussed in detail.