Bangladesh, WEU ink MoU to boost traditional sports promotion

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh and the World Ethnosports Union (WEU) to enhance cooperation in promoting traditional sports and cultural exchange.

The MoU was signed on Friday at the headquarters of the WEU in Istanbul, Türkiye. The agreement was signed by Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, and the President of the World Ethnosports Union, Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan.

Before the signing, both sides held a cordial meeting where they reaffirmed their commitment to the importance of traditional sports and mutual cooperation. Bilal Erdogan expressed a strong interest in promoting traditional Bangladeshi games such as kabaddi, wrestling, bolikhela, and boat racing on a global scale. He also showed willingness to bring these games under the membership of the WEU.

In the meeting, he proposed launching scholarships, educational exchange programmes, and competitions for Bangladeshi students. He also expressed interest in establishing a branch of his organisation’s school in Bangladesh and proposed organising traditional sports events in Rohingya refugee camps.

Referring to the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Türkiye’s efforts to restore its cultural and global standing, Bilal Erdogan praised the role of Bangladeshi youth in the 2024 mass uprising.

Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain referred to Türkiye as Bangladesh’s trusted friend and noted that, following the uprising, Bangladesh is working to strengthen its ties with true allies.

At the end of the meeting, the Adviser formally invited Bilal Erdogan to visit Bangladesh and participate in the Global Youth Summit 2025, expressing hope that the visit would further deepen and energize the bilateral partnership.