The 8th Ethnosport Forum, organised by the World Ethnosport Union, is taking place from 3–5 April 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye. This prestigious gathering, founded on the principles of tradition, respect, solidarity, and peace, serves to further strengthen the position of traditional sports on the international stage.
The main focus of this year’s Forum is on shaping the conceptual foundations of the global initiative Ethnosports 2027, which aims to elevate traditional sports and folk games to the level of an international multi-sport platform.
The Forum is attended by more than 15 Ministers of Sports and Culture from various countries, leaders of international federations, scholars, and traditional sports practitioners.
Reza Nassiri, General Secretary of the International Kurash Association, is representing the IKA at the Forum. He has taken part in initial discussions among international federations and continues to demonstrate the role and potential of Kurash within the ethnosport movement in a series of strategic meetings.
Within the framework of the Forum, three parallel sessions are being held on key areas — governance and organisational systems, sport and competition standards, as well as media and global communications — all dedicated to the future of Ethnosports 2027. These discussions will serve to further enhance the global prestige of traditional sports.
Detailed information about the sessions, meetings, and events taking place within the Forum will be provided on an ongoing basis.
