How Türkiye Preserved Traditional Oil Wrestling While Pakistan’s Akharas Struggle to Survive
The word “pehlwan” carries deep cultural significance in both Pakistan and Türkiye. While the two countries share a centuries-old wrestling tradition, their approaches to preserving the sport have taken very different paths.
In Türkiye, oil wrestling (Yağlı Güreş) remains a celebrated national tradition backed by government institutions, local communities, and cultural organizations. In Pakistan, however, traditional kushti continues mainly through privately run akharas that face financial and infrastructure challenges.
A Tradition That Spans More Than Six Centuries
Every summer, the northwestern Turkish city of Edirne hosts the famous Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, widely regarded as one of the world’s oldest continuously held sporting events.
The festival attracts hundreds of wrestlers and thousands of spectators from across Türkiye. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kırkpınar combines athletic competition with centuries-old cultural traditions.
Before entering the wrestling field, competitors follow long-standing customs that symbolize respect, humility, and discipline—values considered central to the sport.
Wrestling Beyond Competition
For many participants, wrestling represents more than physical strength.
Young athletes often describe the sport as a way to develop patience, discipline, and respect while preserving a family tradition that has been passed down through generations.
Each year, the tournament awards significant prize money to its champions, while local sponsors and community leaders help support the event and maintain its historical importance.
Strong Institutional Support in Türkiye
Traditional wrestling in Türkiye benefits from support provided by municipalities, cultural organizations, and government institutions.
Officials help organize competitions, maintain facilities, and encourage younger generations to participate, allowing the sport to remain an active part of the country’s cultural identity.
Pakistan’s Rich Wrestling Heritage
Pakistan also has a long and respected history of traditional wrestling.
For decades, kushti was practiced in akharas across the country, producing athletes who earned success in regional and international competitions.
Wrestling remains one of Pakistan’s most successful sports in the history of the Commonwealth Games, where Pakistani wrestlers have won numerous medals over the years.
Challenges Facing Traditional Akharas
Despite its proud history, many traditional wrestling schools now face financial difficulties and shrinking training facilities.
Several coaches and former athletes say urban development, limited investment, and changing public interests have reduced the number of active akharas in many cities.
Many young athletes today choose Olympic-style wrestling or other sports that offer greater competitive opportunities and institutional support.
Coaches Continue to Preserve the Tradition
Even with limited resources, experienced wrestlers and coaches continue training new generations of athletes in cities such as Lahore and Multan.
Many academies rely on community support while encouraging young wrestlers to pursue opportunities through national competitions and sports-based recruitment programs.
A Shared Legacy, Different Paths
Although Pakistan and Türkiye share the same wrestling heritage and even the same word—pehlwan—their modern experiences differ significantly.
In Türkiye, traditional wrestling remains a nationally celebrated cultural event supported by public institutions. In Pakistan, the sport survives largely through the dedication of local coaches, wrestling academies, and communities working to preserve an important part of the country’s sporting heritage.
Supporters of the sport believe continued investment, youth participation, and cultural preservation efforts could help ensure that traditional wrestling remains an important part of Pakistan’s athletic and cultural landscape for future generations.
