Official Highlights Great Potential for Islamic Solidarity Games to Grow
Konya 2021 deputy general coordinator Veli Ozan Cakir said he expects the level of competition and profile of the Islamic Solidarity Games to continue to increase despite being in a crowded market of multi-sport events.
Konya in Turkey is staging the fifth edition of the quadrennial event and playing host to more than 4,000 athletes who are competing across 19 sports.
The Islamic Solidarity Games had been scheduled to be held last year only to be moved back 12 months due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cakir admitted that he did not expect so many athletes to compete at Konya 2021 due to a busy sporting calendar but believes the high number of participants demonstrates the popularity of the Games.
"There are a lot of multi-sport events in the world, but when you see the structure of the Islamic Solidarity Games there is very good potential for a positive future," he told insidethegames.
"We have countries from four different continents and a lot of them have very good athletes competing in different sports here.
"There is a very competitive field in all sports as we have world champions as well as European, Asian, African and Pan American champions.
"This is why I see such a huge potential for this event."
The Games were originally created to reinforce the values of Islam with the first edition held in Mecca in Saudi Arabia in 2005 only open to male athletes.
Women have since been allowed to compete as well as athletes who are not Muslim.
"You don’t have to be Muslim to be participate in these Games," said Cakir.
"All the athletes from member countries can take part in this event.
"When you check the importance of these countries in the international sporting community I think the future of the Islamic Solidarity Games is open.
"In my opinion, these Games will be in better levels in future.
Source: insidethegames.biz
