ABU Sports Group Conference talks about preserving national sports and tradition

The opening day of the ABU Sports Group Conference was held alongside the ABU 62nd General Assembly in Ulaanbaatar, with members from across the Union in attendance. Among there were Uuganbayar Otgonbayar, Director of MNB Sports, Mongolia; Nam Sang Won, ABU Sports Group Vice Chairperson from KBS South Korea; Emre Botan Kümet, ABU Sports Group Vice Chairperson from TRT Spor, Türkiye; Ahmed Nadeem, ABU Secretary-General; Manoja Nadeeshana Amarasinghe, Director General of SLRC Sri Lanka; and Magaljav Tserendashdorj, President of the National Sports Committee of Mongolia.

The conference focused on the role of sport and media in preserving and promoting national identity and cultural heritage. Presenters showcased traditional sports from across ABU's membership, demonstrating how these activities had evolved over time while remaining relevant to contemporary audiences. The discussions also highlighted how broadcasting served as a powerful means of keeping cultural traditions alive and engaging for new generations.

One of the main outcomes was the exchange of insights on how national sports could be effectively preserved and promoted through television. The conference concluded with the announcement of the ABU Prizes 2025 Sports Category finalists. Programme creators shared video messages about the inspiration behind their work, encouraging future entrants to develop content of similar quality and creativity, and reinforcing a culture of excellence in sports broadcasting.