UNESCO – Acting as Co-Founder of ICTSG Context & Overview From 13 to 14 August 2018, UNESCO Secretariat led the 4th Collective Consultation Meeting on Traditional Sports and Games (TSG). Hosted at Sheraton Grand İstanbul Ataşehir, this event united representatives from over 40 member states, ministers, permanent delegations in UNESCO, members of group of friends and was organized by the ad-hoc Advisory Committee on TSG duly established by the member states and the Secretariat Jointly in the year 2017 at Unesco HQ-Paris-France for the purpose of establishing the International Platform, besides making policy guideline for member states on TSG. This 4th CC meeting was supported by WEC and the Turkish Ministry of Sports. Marcellin Dally, Programme Specialist and Coordinator on TSG at UNESCO SHS Section, officially nominated by the UNESCO Secretariat and conducted the meeting initiating the International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) Delegation & Signing Authority UNESCO's delegation was headed by:

Marcellin Dally – Programme Specialist Coordinator on TSG and official signatory

Mr. Dally’s formal endorsement marked UNESCO’s central role in founding ICTSG and underscored the organization's commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage through traditional sports. Mr.Dally was associated with this TSG project of UNESCO & Member States since 2005 onwards. Institutional & Geographic Significance Headquartered in Paris with global reach, UNESCO acts as the custodian of intangible cultural heritage under its 2003 Convention. This broad mission includes promoting traditional sports and games. The Istanbul meeting highlighted UNESCO's ability to convene international partners and anchor initiatives within institutional frameworks, embodying UNESCO’s global mandate and partnership vision. UNESCO’s Contributions to Traditional Sports

Policy Advocacy: Inclusion of traditional sports in heritage legislation and policy tools. Capacity Building: Training Ad‑Hoc Advisory Committee members and National Commissions. Resource Mobilization: Partnering with IATWS and members to support documentation, events, and research.

These efforts reinforce UNESCO’s long-term commitment to community engagement and knowledge transmission—core to its intangible heritage mandate. UNESCO’s Founding Role in ICTSG During the 2nd Collective Consultation Meeting held at Tehran-Iran in the year 2009, member states in consultation with CIGEPS and experts agreed to form an international Platform of TSG as an "International Council of Traditional Sports and Games". However, the execution of the report and decision remained pending due to some wrong doing by the then Unesco's staff. As a result, IATWS freezed its funds for the purpose.  Lateron, UNESCO  Secretariat approached the President IATWS for unfreezing the fund with a comitment to fulfilled its mandate and joint agreement with IATWS of 2008 to establish the required International Platform."ICTSG". Accordingly, Adhoc Advisory Committee was established in consultation with the Member States in the year 2017 and the President of IATWS Khalil Ahmed Khan was elected as its Chairman. The Ad hoc Committee under its four working groups asgined with establishing the International Platform in lieu of the agreed and approved Concept Note of UNESCO on TSG. The signing of the Istanbul's Resolution by the Member States and participants of the 4th CC including Ministers and Permanent delegates in UNESCO approved the statutes of ICTSG as an independent organization, yet deeply rooted in UNESCO’s structural vision. The agreement, hosted within the 4th Collective Consultation framework, ensured that ICTSG would serve as a self-governing body committed to sustainable heritage practices as an external body from UNESCO. UN SDGs Alignment UNESCO’s initiation of ICTSG during this meeting aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG 4 – Quality Education: Embedding heritage sports in formal and informal educational settings. SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities: Recognizing local practices as heritage anchors. SDG 16 – Peace & Justice: Fostering intercultural dialogue and peacebuilding. SDG 17 – Partnerships: UNESCO’s collaboration with states and civil society.

Historical Legacy & Future Vision UNESCO’s century-long work in cultural heritage preservation and multilateral diplomacy laid the foundation for ICTSG’s creation. The Istanbul meeting extends this legacy by formally uniting global stakeholders around traditional sports. Looking forward, UNESCO supports youth engagement, capacity development, and intercontinental research within ICTSG’s evolving structure. Call to Action Support UNESCO’s ongoing mission through ICTSG. Volunteer, contribute expertise, promote traditional sports, and help ensure that cultural heritage endures as a shared global legacy. Get Involved   Benefits of Joining   Support ICTSG

About ICTSG: The International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and revitalizing traditional sports and games as powerful tools for education, peace, and sustainable development.

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