UNESCO has formally distanced itself from the Pakistan-based International Traditional Sports and Games Commission (ICTSG), clarifying the unauthorized use of its name, abbreviation and logo.

The statement comes after a series of complaints from former members of the now-disbanded Interim Advisory Committee of UNESCO, which has raised an alarm about the misleading significance of the ongoing partnership between ICTSG and the United Nations agencies.

UNESCO’s sports district has confirmed that it currently has no affiliation or cooperation with ICTSG. The organization has taken swift action to formally direct ICTSG Chairman Mr. Khalil Ahmed Khan to immediately stop using UNESCO’s name, brand and logo on its website, social media platforms and official documents.

It is worth noting that Mr Khan had previously served as the Interim Advisory Committee for Traditional Sports and Games until it was dissolved in 2019 under unclear circumstances. Since then, UNESCO has emphasized transparency and moral governance, making today’s clarification particularly important.

Philipp Müller-Wirth, head of sports department in UNESCO for social and human sciences, reiterated the agency’s commitment to integrity, noting: “We urge all relevant stakeholders to recognize that the claim of ICTSG’s affiliation with UNESCO is completely lacking.

UNESCO calls on all organizations involved in traditional sports and games to provide a broad elaboration and urge vigilance against false information and unauthorized representation.

The move strengthens UNESCO’s broader mission to safeguard cultural heritage and responsibilities in the global sports program.