The International Traditional Sports and Games Association (ITSGA) is a global organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and d...
.jpg)
Mission and Objectives
The mission of ITSGA is to safeguard and revitalize traditional sports and
games, recognizing them as an integral component of intangible cultural
heritage. The organization operates under the broader framework of
international cooperation, focusing on the following objectives:
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage:
- Documenting
and archiving traditional sports and games worldwide.
- Supporting
research initiatives to study the historical and cultural significance of
TSG.
- Promotion
of Diversity and Inclusivity:
- Encouraging
participation across different cultures, age groups, and communities.
- Highlighting
the role of traditional games in promoting gender equality and
inclusivity.
- Global Exchange and Cooperation:
- Facilitating
cultural exchange programs, international festivals, and tournaments.
- Building
partnerships with organizations like UNESCO and national
cultural bodies.
- Educational Programs and Awareness:
- Incorporating
traditional sports and games into educational curricula.
- Organizing
workshops, seminars, and exhibitions to raise awareness.
- Sustainable Development through Sports:
- Leveraging
traditional sports to promote health, well-being, and environmental
sustainability.
- Encouraging
community engagement and cultural tourism
through TSG.
Activities and Initiatives
1. Global Festivals and
Competitions:
- International
Traditional Sports and Games Festivals: Events showcasing
traditional games from around the world, fostering cultural exchanges, unity
and Peace.
- Regional
Championships: International
or national competitions that highlight indigenous sports specific to
regions, such as Pencak Silat in Southeast Asia or wrestling in South Eastern Europe
or Capoera in South America.
2. TSG Documentation and Digital
Archives:
- Creation
of a comprehensive digital archive of traditional games, including rules,
techniques, historical backgrounds, and multimedia content.
- Collaboration
with universities and research institutes for scholarly
documentation.
3. Capacity Building and
Training:
- Support to training
programs for coaches, educators, and cultural practitioners to teach and
promote traditional games.
- Support to certification
programs for practitioners to ensure the quality of the practice.
4. Youth Engagement Programs:
- Support to organizing
school-based TSG competitions and integrating them into physical
education curricula.
- Support to youth
ambassador programs to promote TSG awareness among younger generations.
5. Cultural Heritage Advocacy:
- Working
with governments and international bodies to secure legal protections
for traditional sports as cultural heritage.
- Lobbying
for the inclusion of TSG in national and international events.
Examples of Traditional Sports concerned by the concept promoted by ITSGA
- Kabaddi (India):
- A
contact team sport with ancient origins, popular across South Asia.
- Buzkashi (Central Asia):
- A
traditional equestrian game, often compared to polo, but played with a
goat carcass.
- Capoeira (Brazil):
- A
blend of martial arts, dance, and music developed by African slaves in
Brazil.
- Sepak Takraw (Southeast Asia):
- A
sport similar to volleyball, but played using feet, knees, and the head.
- Kurash (Uzbekistan):
- An ancient form of wrestling practiced in
Central Asia.
6. Ruzzolone
(Italie)
- An ancient sport where the players throw ‘flat
bowls’ (form of a cheese) for distance.
7. Gaelic Games (Ireland):
- Includes sports like hurling, Gaelic
football, Rounders, etc,
deeply rooted in the Irish
culture.
8. Awélé
(Several countries in Africa)
- Cognitive game
- A
traditional form of wrestling, with a history dating back to ancient
times.
Partnerships and
Collaborations
ITSGA works closely with international organizations to promote traditional
sports on a global scale:
- UNESCO:
- Collaborates
on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage through TSG
initiatives.
- Supports
efforts to integrate traditional sports into broader cultural
preservation programs.
- Continental TSG Committees:
- Engages in dialogues to promote traditional
sports alongside modern sports in
general.
- National
and Regional Cultural Bodies:
- Works with
local governments, NGOs, and cultural institutions to ensure
community-driven promotion of traditional games.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Challenges:
- Globalization and Modernization:
- The
dominance of modern sports has overshadowed many traditional games,
leading to a decline in participation and knowledge transfer.
- Loss of Cultural Knowledge:
- Oral
traditions and indigenous knowledge systems are at risk of disappearing
without proper documentation and preservation efforts.
- Limited Resources and Funding:
- Many
traditional sports lack the infrastructure, funding, and organizational
support needed for sustained promotion.
Future Outlook:
- Integration
into Modern Sports Environment:
- Bridging
the gap between traditional and modern sports by integrating TSG into sports
cultural tourism, festivals, and educational curricula.
- Technological Innovations:
- Using
digital platforms, virtual reality, and online education to document and
promote traditional games globally.
- Policy
Development and Legal Protections:
- Advocating
for international policies that recognize and protect traditional sports
as an essential part of global cultural heritage.
Conclusion
The International Traditional Sports and Games Association (ITSGA)
plays a crucial role in preserving the rich cultural heritage embedded in
traditional sports and games. By fostering global cooperation, promoting
cultural diversity, and encouraging active participation, ITSGA ensures that these
age-old practices continue to inspire and unite communities at local level as worldwide. Through
its ongoing efforts, traditional sports are not only preserved as historical
artifacts but celebrated as living traditions that contribute to the
world’s cultural tapestry.
- BK Bharat
.jpg)
