A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed today between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh and the World Ethnosports Union (WEU) to foster traditional sports and enhance cultural cooperation. The signing ceremony took place at the WEU headquarters in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The agreement was formalized by Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, and the President of the World Ethnosports Union, Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan. (Note: Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan is the son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan).
Prior to the signing, the two leaders engaged in a close bilateral meeting, where they emphasized the crucial role of traditional games in enriching civilizations and cultures. Both affirmed their commitment to mutual cooperation in promoting indigenous sports globally.
During the meeting, Bilal Erdogan highlighted the immense potential of Bangladesh’s traditional games, such as kabaddi, wrestling, “bolikhela,” and boat racing, expressing his keen interest in promoting these sports on a global stage. He also expressed interest in incorporating Bangladeshi traditional sports federations as members of the World Ethnosports Union.
Drawing on his involvement in educational initiatives in Türkiye, Erdogan proposed a range of opportunities for Bangladeshi students, including scholarships, exchange programs, and subject-based competitions. He further conveyed his interest in establishing a branch of his organization’s school in Bangladesh. Recalling a past visit to Cox’s Bazar with his mother, he voiced his willingness to support the organization of traditional games within Rohingya refugee camps to help alleviate their hardship through engagement in sports.
Reaffirming Türkiye’s steadfast support for the people of Bangladesh, Erdogan commended the youth and public participants of Bangladesh’s July 2024 mass uprising, underscoring the significance of cultural and national identity. He stated that under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership, Türkiye is actively working to reclaim its cultural dignity and global presence.
In his remarks, the Bangladesh Youth and Sports Adviser noted that since the 2024 mass uprising, Bangladesh has been prioritizing the strengthening of ties with its true and trusted partners, with Türkiye being identified as a key ally. He recalled Türkiye’s historical solidarity with the people of the Bengal Delta during times of crisis. He further asserted that the uprising has significantly heightened political consciousness among Bangladeshi youth and triggered a revival of interest in civilizational transformation, drawing parallels to Türkiye’s own resurgence of its glorious heritage.
Adviser Asif Mahmud praised the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, particularly for his moral stance on the ongoing situation in Gaza and his support for oppressed Muslim populations worldwide. He stressed the imperative for a strong and effective international alliance to confront such atrocities and assured Bangladesh’s support and active engagement in this vital cause.
Asif Mahmud also specifically sought the support of the World Ethnosports Union in the internationalization of Bangladesh’s traditional games—including kabaddi, dariabandha, bolikhela, wrestling, and boat racing.
Concluding the meeting, the Adviser formally invited Bilal Erdogan to visit Bangladesh for the upcoming Global Youth Summit 2025 (expected in September 2025, although other global youth summits are also scheduled in 2025). He expressed hope that this visit would further strengthen and accelerate the strategic partnership between the two nations in the fields of youth, sports, and broader socio-political cooperation.
