ISTANBUL

The World Ethnosport Union will hold its 8th Ethnosport Forum in Türkiye's southwestern city of Antalya from April 3 to 5, aiming to shape the future of traditional sports and preserve cultural heritage.

The forum will focus on strategic issues concerning the sustainability of ethnosports, with the organization seeking to enhance global cooperation based on the principles of tradition, respect, solidarity, and peace.

Working since its inception to protect traditional sports and games, increase intercultural interaction, and raise awareness of the field, the World Ethnosport Union will discuss short, medium, and long-term strategies within the scope of the forum.

'Revival of Traditional Sports' to be highlighted

Academics, federation representatives, and researchers will evaluate issues such as international cooperation opportunities, financial sustainability, and media strategies during the panels. Proposals for making traditional sports and games awards accessible to a wider audience will also feature on the agenda.

One of the forum's key topics will be the "Ethnosports 2027" organization, with experts set to evaluate the vision, goals, organizational structure, international participation strategies, sponsorship and financial sustainability models, and media planning of the internationally planned multi-sport event.

Participation expected from 29 countries

The 8th Ethnosport Forum is expected to draw representatives from 50 institutional members across 29 countries affiliated with the World Ethnosport Union, alongside government officials, federation representatives, academics, and researchers.

World Ethnosport Union President Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan will deliver a speech at the opening, after which the program will officially begin with a ministerial panel attended by senior government officials.

Spanning two days of sessions, panels, and strategic discussions, the forum is planned to shed light on the future of traditional sports and serve as a strong launching point for the Ethnosports 2027 process.

*Writing by Emre Asikci