The International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG), a California-based non-profit organization, actively participated in a high-level event hosted by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The event, titled “Securing the Legacy: Debriefing from Paris 2024 for Future Major Sporting Events,” marked the 5th anniversary of UNOCT’s Global Sports Programme. It gathered UN officials, government leaders, security experts, and representatives from global sports organizations to discuss key lessons from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and strategies for ensuring safety and inclusivity in future sporting events.
Discussions on Security, Inclusivity, and Legacy
Participants explored ways to balance effective security measures with human rights, gender equality, and cultural diversity. The event emphasized international cooperation, technological innovation, and a rights-based approach to securing major sports events.
Prominent Speakers and Global Representation
The forum featured contributions from key global figures, including:
- Vladimir Voronkov – Under-Secretary-General, UN Office of Counter-Terrorism
- Jay Dharmadhikari – Chargé d’Affaires, Permanent Mission of France to the UN
- Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani – Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN
- Fu Cong – Permanent Representative of China to the UN
- Dito Ariotedjo – Minister of Youth and Sport, Indonesia
- Joonkook Hwang – Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN
- Natalia Gherman – Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)
- Antonin Flament – Chief of Staff, National Coordinating Body for the Security of the 2024 Olympic Games
- Lt. Colonel Ali Mohamed Al Ali – INTERPOL Executive Committee, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy
- Aldric Ludescher – Chief Security Officer, International Olympic Committee
- Andrey Reis – Director of Security Operations, FIFA World Cup 2026™
- Fabien Hoëppe – Head of Competitions, FIBA (International Basketball Federation)
ICTSG’s Role in Promoting Traditional Sports
The ICTSG delegation was led by CEO Shammi Rana, accompanied by Chief Financial Officer Sartaj Singh Sekhon. Executive Board Member Aman Kumar Sharma and Member Sukhjinder Singh joined virtually, along with Joao Ernani Pinho da Silva, President of Sports Jiu-Jitsu International, and Prof. Jenono P. Rotich, an ICTSG member.
ICTSG actively contributed to discussions, advocating for the inclusion of traditional sports in major global sporting events. The organization reiterated its commitment to preserving cultural heritage and promoting traditional games as part of security and community engagement strategies in sports.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
The hybrid event welcomed over 2,300 experts, policymakers, and practitioners worldwide. Panel discussions, case studies, and workshops focused on evolving security threats, best practices, and strategies for protecting sporting events while advancing human rights, gender equality, and sustainability.
A key takeaway was the transformative power of sports—not only as a unifying force but also as a tool for community resilience, countering violent extremism, and supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Looking Ahead
ICTSG’s participation in such international forums highlights its growing influence in shaping the future of global sports. The organization remains committed to ensuring that sporting events are inclusive, secure, and culturally diverse while preserving traditional games on a global platform.
