Support for Traditional Sports and Games (TSG) is gathering steam all over the world. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) views TSGs as a means to enhance cultural diversity and heritage, as well as to foster unity among nations.
Muhammed Levent Akici (left) receives an award from Hari Osias Banaag
A key partner in this quest is the World Ethnosport Confederation (WEC). WEC organizes local and international activities with the intent to revive traditional sports and games, increase their awareness, and popularize them around the world.
Dr. Hari Osias Banaag, president of Global Sikaran Federation, used the occasion to discuss with Mr. Levent the possibility of including Sikaran in the 4th World Nomad Games 2020 in Turkey. Mr. Levent assured him of his support and invited Dr. Banaag to Istanbul for further discussions.
The World Nomad Games are an international sporting competition dedicated to ethnic sports practiced in Central Asia. The countries taking part in those games are the former Soviet republics of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Russia (especially Sakha, Buryatia, Altay, Kalmykia, and Bashkortostan republics). Other participant countries include Mongolia, Turkey, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the United States. The first three World Nomad Games were held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.
Mr. Joe Aguirre, Mayor of Delano, also attended the meeting and thanked Mr. Levent Akici for visiting his city.
