Florida, USA — The International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG), recognized as the sole official global platform dedicated to safeguarding, developing, and celebrating Traditional Sports and Games (TSG), proudly led the world in celebrating the International Day for Traditional Sports and Games 2025 on 14 August.
From bustling city squares to remote rural villages, from grassroots events to international virtual summits, communities around the world united under a shared vision: to protect the living treasures of cultural heritage — the indigenous games, ancestral competitions, and folk traditions that have been passed down through centuries.

A Global Network with a Shared Vision
With its Headquarters in Florida, USA, ICTSG operates through a strong global presence:
Far East Office — Kyoto, Japan
Southeast Asia Office — Lahore, Pakistan
European Office — Cannes, France
African Office — Various Regional Hubs
These continental offices work hand in hand, sharing a common mission: to promote, protect, and revive traditional sports and games before they vanish into history.
President of ICTSG, His Excellency Khalil Ahmed Khan, emphasized in his keynote address:
“When a sport disappears, it is like a language that is no longer spoken — its stories, values, and lessons risk being lost forever. Through ICTSG, we document, play, and revive these games so that centuries-old traditions continue to inspire and unite future generations.”

Why We Celebrate: More Than Just Games
The International Day for Traditional Sports and Games, Adopted by the world ministerial conference and the member states in 2021, is not just about sports — it is about safeguarding living cultural heritage.
Each movement, rule, and ritual tells a story. These sports are the heartbeat of villages, the pride of nations, and the identity of communities. Celebrating them means:
Revival — Bringing back sports lost to time.
Safeguarding — Protecting intangible heritage.
Promotion — Showcasing indigenous, ethnic, and folk sports to the world.
Peace & Diplomacy — Uniting divided communities.
Impact for Good — Encouraging cultural pride, health, and sustainable development.

The SRETS Elevation Framework: A Path to Preservation
A key highlight of the celebrations was the introduction of the SRETS model — the ICTSG’s strategic six-stage process to elevate endangered sports from local recognition to global safeguarding.
Stages of SRETS:
SEWEN — Safeguarding Endangered Wisdom of Ethnic Nations
Identifies and documents games in danger of extinction.
Works with local communities to collect rules, stories, and cultural meaning.
LAAIB — Local Ancestral Activities & Indigenous Base
Strengthens grassroots participation.
Encourages community-level events.
TRINA — Tradition Recognized with Indigenous National Affirmation
Gains national-level acknowledgment.
Integrates traditional sports into cultural policies.
REUNA — Registered Entities with Unified National Affiliation
Registers organizations and federations officially.
Creates national frameworks for promotion.
KIZUN — Knowledge Integration for Zones of Unified Nations
Facilitates international collaboration.
Shares expertise, training, and academic research.
SOLAY — Safeguarded Original Legacy as Acknowledged Yield
Ensures the long-term preservation of the sport.
Recognizes it as a living heritage for future generations.
Through SRETS, ICTSG turns endangered sports into revived traditions that can once again thrive locally and globally.

Women Empowerment Through TSG
This year, ICTSG put a special emphasis on women’s leadership in traditional sports. Historically, women have been not only participants but also custodians of cultural practices, coaches, referees, and organizers.
ICTSG’s Women Empowerment Through TSG initiative ensures:
Equal opportunities in participation and leadership.
Training programs for women coaches and referees.
Support for women-led community sports projects.

50+ National Chapters Open for Leadership
In a call to action, ICTSG announced that more than 50 National Chapters worldwide are now open for leadership positions, including President, General Secretary, and other key roles.
Interested applicants can visit traditionalsportsgames.org to:
Explore existing chapters.
Apply for leadership positions.
Join the movement to safeguard traditional sports in their countries.

A Historic Declaration
The celebrations concluded with the adoption of the ICTSG Global Declaration, reaffirming:
ICTSG is the sole global platform for safeguarding and promoting TSG.
All member states and stakeholders are urged to actively participate in ICTSG-led initiatives.
Contributions to the ICTSG Online Encyclopedia of Traditional Sports and Games are encouraged.
TSG should be used as a tool for peace, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development.
Following the reading of the declaration, participants were invited to raise their hands in agreement, both physically and via the Zoom “Raise Hand” feature, marking a symbolic and unifying moment.
Global Recognition: ICTSG Honors Top 100 Contributors

This year, the ICTSG Awards and Nomination Team proudly selected the top 100 contributors from around the world. These individuals have been recognized and appreciated for their invaluable efforts in safeguarding, developing, and promoting Traditional Sports and Games (TSG). Their dedication embodies the spirit of the ICTSG mission and plays a crucial role in preserving this vital cultural heritage for future generations.

A Legacy in the Making
The International Day for Traditional Sports and Games is more than an annual event — it is a global movement.
From archery in Mongolia to wrestling in Senegal, from stick-fighting in the Philippines to kabaddi in South Asia, these games are more than sport. They are carriers of language, music, rituals, and craftsmanship.
As ICTSG President Khalil Ahmed Khan stated:
“When we revive a game, we revive a culture. We give a voice to the past and a gift to the future.”

About ICTSG
The International Council of Traditional Sports and Games is the leading global organization for the promotion and preservation of traditional sports. Working in partnership with governments, NGOs, and local communities, ICTSG organizes World Traditional Games, Continental Games, and numerous cultural events worldwide.
Through its online platforms and encyclopedias, ICTSG documents the rules, histories, and cultural meanings of hundreds of traditional sports, ensuring that they remain alive for generations to come.

Media Contact: Communications Office
International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG)
Email: info@traditionalsportsgames.org
Website: www.traditionalsportsgames.org

Join the Movement. Protect the Legacy. Play the Game.

ICTSG leads global celebration of International Day for Traditional Sports and Games 2025
OR
ICTSG unites the world in celebrating International Day for Traditional Sports and Games 2025

PRESS RELEASE 14th August 2025

The International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG), recognized as the sole global platform dedicated to safeguarding, promoting, and reviving centuries-old sporting traditions, led worldwide celebrations for the International Day for Traditional Sports and Games (TSG) 2025 on 14th August.

From vibrant city squares to remote rural villages, and from grassroots festivals to international virtual summits, communities united in a shared mission to protect living treasures of cultural heritage, indigenous games, ancestral competitions, and folk traditions passed down through generations. Headquartered in Florida, USA, and operating through continental offices in Kyoto (Far East), Lahore (Southeast Asia), Cannes (Europe), and African regional hubs, ICTSG drives a coordinated global effort to ensure these traditions thrive.

In his keynote address, ICTSG President H.E. Khalil Ahmed Khan said: “When a sport disappears, it is like a language no longer spoken, its stories, values, and lessons risk being lost forever.”

Adopted during the world ministerial conference and the member states in 2021, the International Day for TSG goes beyond sport, serving as a movement for cultural revival, heritage protection, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. This year’s celebrations introduced the innovative SRETS Elevation Framework, a six-stage strategy that identifies endangered games, strengthens grassroots participation, secures national recognition, facilitates international collaboration, and ensures their preservation as living heritage.

Women’s leadership in TSG also took center stage, with ICTSG launching initiatives to train female coaches, referees, and community leaders, recognizing women’s historic role as custodians of cultural practices. In a major call to action, ICTSG announced that over 50 National Chapters are now open for leadership roles, inviting applicants worldwide to join the safeguarding mission.

The day concluded with the adoption of the ICTSG Global Declaration, urging member states and cultural stakeholders to actively contribute to TSG revival efforts, including enriching the ICTSG Online Encyclopedia. The organization also honored the Top 100 global contributors whose tireless dedication has advanced TSG preservation.

From Mongolian archery to Senegalese wrestling, Filipino stick-fighting to South Asian kabaddi, these sports are not just games, they are vessels of language, music, ritual, and craftsmanship. As Khalil Ahmed Khan reminded the world, “When we revive a game, we revive a culture. We give a voice to the past and a gift to the future.”