Preparations for Konya 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games reach 90% completion

The Islamic Sports Solidarity Federation (ISSF) announced that 90% of the main preparations for the 5th Islamic Sports Solidarity Games in Konya, Turkey during the period from 9 to 18 August 2022, are completed.

Sports venues for swimming, cycling and athletics are still under construction and will be ready by February 2022. The athletes’ village is also ready to accommodate all athletes and sports delegations.

This is according to the site visit report of the ISSF Supervision and Coordination Commission (SCC) chaired by Mr. Hamad Kalkaba and with the membership of Mr. Kazi Rajib Uddin Chapol, Mrs. Konul Nurullayeva, Mr. Mohamed Adel Zahra and Mr. Ashraf S. Dahroug.

The SCC’s visit included inspections of all sports venues and facilities, as well as meetings with the Games Organizing Committee (OC), with the attendance of Prof. Dr. Halis Yunus Ersöz the Games Director and the Deputy Minister of Youth & Sport of Turkey.

The SCC reviewed the Organizing Committee’s latest preparations, including status and plans for sports venues and facilities for each sport, Games general sports program, general regulations and technical handbooks, mascot, updates on communications with the relevant International Federations, contract with the accredited Anti-Doping Lab, Games website and social media, updates on communications with the member NOCs, marketing and TV broadcasting.

The SCC also inspected the sports venues, facilities, and athletes’ village, hotels, and other accommodations for the Games. Then, they held a meeting with Mr. Uğur İbrahim Altay Mayor of Konya who confirmed his keen interest to coordinate with the Organizing Committee and provide all facilities and support to ensure the success of the Games.

The SCC’s report confirmed the importance of sending the Games general regulations and technical handbooks to the member NOCs before 15 December 2021, so that each NOC will have time to make its budget and obtain other governmental approvals necessary for their participation in the Games.

Formerly scheduled to take place in September 2021, the Games were postponed to August 2022. This decision was taken at the meeting of the ISSF Executive Board, presided by HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud, with the Games Organizing Committee, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and difficulties that the participating countries may face in getting vaccinations and flight procedures.

The Games general sports program will include football, basketball, handball, volleyball, taekwondo, karate, judo, wrestling, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, archery, cycling (for the first time), kickboxing, bocce, traditional archery, shooting and table tennis.