Mongolians are rightly proud of their history – but, they are also one of the most sport-addicted nations on the planet. A dispute in the heart of Ulaanbaatar – or Urga (from the Mongolian for ‘palace’) – as the capital used to be called, has broken out in which sport clashes with history.

The FIFA World Cup – Fan Festival has been cancelled in because of  disputes over its location. The place which had been planned to take place is next to the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan which is located in southern Ulaanbaatar on the road to the Zaisan District.

NTV was preparing to organise the FIFA World Cup – Fan Festival in Mongolia for first time in cooperation with Wan Trade LLC and the Mongolian National Broadcaster. The event was originally scheduled to be held between 1 June and 15 July. As a part of the preparation, Wan Trade LLC has begun leveling the ground near the Bogd Khan Palace Museum – this has caused a public outcry.

Earlier today, academics and locals held a press conference  protesting against holding the Fan Festival next to such an important historic site. They said that the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, who was the last ruler of Mongolia is a place of huge historic significance. The group has demanded that the President  of Mongolia issues a decree protecting the land adjacent to the Bogd Khan Museum. Next year, a special anniversary celebration related to the life of Jebtsuundamba Khutuktud (1869-1924) who was the third most important reincarnation in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai and Panchen Lamas and, from 1911, the Bogd Khan, will be marked.

Whether the sport-loving, black-belt Mongolian president will issue such a decree remains to be seen.