Topic: 2025-Safeguarding and Promoting Traditional Sports and Games
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Jayla Giebudowski
Topic: 2025-Safeguarding and Promoting Traditional Sports and Games
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Jayla Giebudowski
Traditional sports and games (TSG) are integral to Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, embodying the values, history, and identity of its diverse ethnic groups. However, the rapid globalization and dominance of modern sports have led to a decline in the practice and recognition of Indigenous games. Safeguarding and promoting TSG is essential for cultural preservation, community cohesion, and the development of local talent. Despite their cultural significance, traditional sports such as Dambe, and Ayo face several challenges. These include a lack of institutional support, inadequate funding, dwindling interest among the youth, and minimal media coverage. The absence of structured competitions further weakens their sustainability. The Nigerian government recognizes policies that see, TSG as an essential part of the nation’s sports development framework, Including allocating funds for their promotion. Leveraging digital platforms to showcase traditional sports can introduce awareness and interest. Broadcasting events on television and social media can attract wider audiences, both locally and internationally. Private sector investment in traditional sports can provide the necessary financial backing for events, training facilities, and athlete development. Traditional sports and games are a vital part of Nigeria’s heritage and should not be allowed to fade into obscurity, with many other TSGs. Through government policies, community involvement, media utilization, corporate sponsorship, and international collaborations, these cultural assets can be safeguarded and promoted for future generations. The Nigerian government asks for collaboration with other UNESCO members to find ways to keep TSGs alive and documented. In collaboration With UNESCO members, We can manage to look into more ways for TSGs to be an essential part of every country’s heritage. However, Nigeria hasn’t adopted the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage but is willing to protect TSGs and possibly implement them.
