Traditional Turkish sports to be promoted worldwide

The Turkish Traditional Sport Branches Federation (GSDF), under the guidance of its newly elected President Hakan Kazancı, is aiming to promote Turkey's traditional sports globally. In an interview with local press members, Kazancı stated that their primary target was to support the growth of Turkish traditional sports on a local and international level.
"We want to promote traditional sports branches that are under the federation's umbrella, on both the local and international level in order to secure their future, and build their reputations. We want to create opportunities to popularize these sports that belonged to our ancestors, and raise them to a level so that they can contribute to the global sports culture," Kazancı said. He stressed that sportswear unique to the traditional sports were to be reviewed in order to consolidate the tie between the traditional patterns and traditional sports.
"We are also planning to help out clubs by providing sports materials and outfits, and hold programs to encourage establishing more clubs," Kazancı added.

"We are also planning to help out clubs by providing sports materials and outfits, and hold programs to encourage establishing more clubs," Kazancı added.

"The World Nomad Games are accepted as the Olympics of the Turkic World. We have come to a mutual agreement with member countries to hold the event in Turkey. If our ministry and the general management approve, it will be held in our country," Kazancı said. Talking about the GSDF, its newly elected president said, "There are eight traditional sports branches in our federation's structure. They include cirit, sleigh, archery on horse, belt wrestling, shalwar wrestling, harness racing and traditional sleigh. As of 2016, there are 185 clubs and 12,630 athletes in all branches."

Daily Sabah