UNESCO Group of Friends on Traditional Sports and Games (TSG) During the First Technical Meeting of the UNESCO Advisory Committee on Traditional Sports and Games (TSG) held in December 2017, the UNESCO TSG Group of Friends was officially established. This unique intergovernmental platform brings together Permanent Delegations of UNESCO Member States, aiming to enhance political advocacy, foster structured dialogue with experts, and promote international collaboration for the safeguarding of traditional sports and games. In a follow-up to this initiative, official letters were circulated to Member States inviting them to join the Group of Friends by signing a Letter of Commitment (LoC)—a symbolic and practical pledge to support the preservation and promotion of TSG as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. We are honoured to acknowledge the Member States that have joined the Group of Friends by signing the Letter of Commitment through their respective Ministries, Permanent Delegations to UNESCO, and/or National Commissions for UNESCO: ===
Country Date
Republic of South Korea May 4, 2018
Federal Republic of Nigeria May 17, 2018
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia May 27, 2018
Independent State of Samoa May 29, 2018
Republic of Malawi Jun 1, 2018
Republic of Sierra Leone Jun 6, 2018
Republic of The Gambia Jun 6, 2018
Republic of Mauritius Jun 18, 2018
Republic of Azerbaijan Jul 20, 2018
United Republic of Tanzania Jul 25, 2018
Republic of Palau Aug 6, 2018
Republic of Kazakhstan Aug 9, 2018
Republic of Guinea Aug 13, 2018
Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Aug 13, 2018
Republic of Madagascar Aug 14, 2018
Republic of Zambia Dec 28, 2018
Islamic Republic of Pakistan Jan 11, 2019
Republic of the Niger Feb 2, 2019
Republic of Turkey Feb 11, 2019
Republic of Bulgaria Feb 20, 2019
Republic of Ghana Mar 21, 2019
Republic of Guatemala Apr 15, 2019
State of Kuwait May 6, 2019
Belize May 14, 2019
Mongolia Jul 17, 2019
== We extend our sincere gratitude to these nations for their commitment to preserving humanity’s shared heritage and promoting traditional sports and games as tools for intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
"When a sport disappears, it is like a language no longer spoken. When we revive a game, we revive a culture."
Khalil Ahmed Khan — President, ICTSG
