Ethnosport Forum to open in Antalya on Friday, focusing on future of traditional sports

ISTANBUL

The 8th Ethnosport Forum, organized by the World Ethnosport Union with the aim of shaping the future of traditional sports and preserving cultural heritage, will begin on Friday in Antalya, a city on the Mediterranean in southern Türkiye.

With just one day to go before the event, the forum -- set to run until April 5 -- is expected to bring together government officials, federation representatives, academics, and researchers from 29 countries.

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

The organizers say the three-day forum will focus 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 will examine short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to support these goals.

Academics, federation representatives, and researchers are expected to participate in panel discussions about international cooperation, financial sustainability, and media strategies. The agenda also includes proposals to make traditional sports and game awards more accessible to a broader audience.

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

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

World Ethnosport Union President Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan is scheduled to deliver opening remarks, followed by a ministerial panel attended by senior government officials.

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.