ICTSG and UnBound Usher Traditional Sports into the Digital Future By: Hamna Awan & Azhar Masood Khan The International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) welcomes UnBound into its global circle of friends for the celebrations surrounding the International Day of Traditional Sports and Games (TSG Day). This is a symbolic, community-driven association—a friendly show of support to spotlight how heritage and technology can coexist in inclusive, inspiring ways. No commercial arrangements or operational commitments are implied. A Digital Lens on Living Heritage UnBound is a Malaysia-developed augmented reality (AR) mobile experience that blends movement, play, and discovery. In the context of TSG Day, its public alignment points to a simple idea: modern tools such as AR, AI, and XR can help new audiences notice and appreciate traditional sports and games without changing their cultural essence. Why This Matters Traditional sports are powerful anchors of identity, community well-being, and intercultural understanding. ICTSG’s TSG Day places these values front and center—encouraging communities to share, learn, and celebrate. Symbolic participation by friends like UnBound helps amplify the message that sports for impact, sports for good, and sports for peace are universal goals. TSG Day 2025: A Week of Learning and Celebration Beginning with the Global day spotlighting Indigenous Peoples on 9 August and culminating on 14 August for TSG Day, the ICTSG community will feature:

Interactive showcases that illuminate the stories and skills behind ancestral games. Virtual spotlights exploring how AR, AI, and XR can support discovery and documentation. Workshops and talks on inclusion, heritage literacy, and community-led preservation. Hybrid gatherings connecting elders, educators, youth, and creators across borders.

Inclusion at the Core Aligned with ICTSG’s Women in TSG focus, the celebrations champion participation and leadership opportunities for women and girls—online and on the ground. Digital formats can reduce barriers to entry, encourage skill-building, and foster safe, welcoming spaces for all. Access, Learning, and Joy Digital lenses do not replace tradition—they help people find it. By surfacing stories, rules, and contexts of local games, audiences anywhere can learn respectfully, at their own pace, and then bring that understanding back to their families, classrooms, and communities. Safeguarding and Clarity UnBound’s presence for TSG Day is purely symbolic: a friendly shout‑out to the global effort to notice, respect, and celebrate traditional sports. It does not represent a financial partnership, operational agreement, or co‑developed program with ICTSG. The emphasis is on community spirit, shared visibility, and cultural appreciation. Conclusion As traditional sports navigate the digital era, the message is simple and hopeful: innovation can help people see what has always mattered. By celebrating together, ICTSG and its friends signal that ancestral games are not relics—they are a living invitation to play, learn, and belong. 🚀 Get Involved Contact the Indigenous Games Team   Become a Member   Indigenous Sports

Indigenous games are not relics of the past. They are cultural blueprints for the future—active, inclusive, and resilient. Preserving them means protecting humanity’s deepest memory and most playful wisdom. About the Authors Hamna Awan – Media strategist and marketer focused on innovation, culture, and youth engagement. She crafts stories that connect traditional heritage with contemporary audiences. Azhar Masood Khan – Senior Sports Journalist with 18 years of experience, Sports Editor at a national English daily, FIFA Ambassador, and ICTSG Lead for Communication Compliance & Global Outreach (Advisory).