New Delhi, August 1 (HS). Kazakhstan will host the fifth World Nomad Games on September 8 and 13, a unique international sporting event showcasing ethnic sports rooted in the traditions of the nomadic people of Central Asia.
According to a statement from the Embassy of Kazakhstan in India, the event will promote ethnic-sports and ethno-cultural movement, celebrating them as a major part of human civilisation. Around 2,500 participants from around 100 countries are expected to take part in the games. The event is expected to attract over 100,000 domestic and foreign tourists.
The games, organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, UNESCO, the Organization of Turkic States and other organisations, will take place in the Kazakhstan capital Astana under the motto “The Gathering of the Great Steppe”. Competitions in 21 sports will be held at major sports venues, including horse racing, national wrestling styles, traditional intellectual games, martial arts competitions, traditional archery and folk games, with a total of 97 medals to be awarded.
In a press release issued by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in India, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was quoted as saying, “The World Nomad Games to be held in Kazakhstan will be a major event. They are important for popularizing national sports and healthy lifestyles and expanding cultural and humanitarian ties between fraternal peoples – the inheritors of the nomadic civilization of the great steppe.”
The World Nomad Games were established to celebrate the traditional sports and cultural heritage of nomadic peoples around the world. The inaugural Games were held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic in 2014 and have since become a major biennial event. The Games were also hosted by the Kyrgyz Republic in 2016 and 2018, and by Turkiye in 2022.
Each edition has seen an increase in participation and recognition, highlighting the global appeal of nomadic cultures. Kazakhstan is well placed to host these Games given the country's historical ties with nomadic traditions, as well as its experience hosting other major events such as Expo 2017.
By hosting the Fifth World Nomad Games, Kazakhstan aims to celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of nomadic peoples, promote their cultural identity and strengthen international ties.