Kazakhstan to Host Fifth World Nomad Games, Celebrating Nomadic Heritage

Kazakhstan will host the fifth World Nomad Games from September 8 to 13, featuring 2,500 participants from nearly 100 countries. The event will showcase traditional ethnic sports, promote cultural heritage, and attract over 100,000 tourists. President Tokayev stresses the importance of the games for national sports and cultural connections.

Kazakhstan is set to host the fifth edition of the World Nomad Games, an international sports event dedicated to the ethnic sports traditions of Central Asia's nomadic peoples, from September 8 to 13. According to the Embassy of Kazakhstan in India, the event aims to promote ethno-sports and celebrate the ethnocultural movement as a significant part of human civilization.

The games are expected to draw around 2,500 participants from nearly 100 countries and attract over 100,000 domestic and international tourists. Organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, UNESCO, and other regional organizations, the event will take place in Astana under the motto "The Gathering of the Great Steppe."

Competitions will be held in 21 ethnic sports, including horse races, national wrestling styles, traditional intellectual games, martial arts, traditional archery, national bird hunting, and folk games. A total of 97 sets of medals will be awarded. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan highlighted the significance of the games for popularizing national sports and promoting a healthy lifestyle in a statement released by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in India.

"The World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan will be a major event, important both for the popularization of national sports and a healthy lifestyle, and for expanding cultural and humanitarian ties between the peoples of the Great Steppe," President Tokayev said. Established in 2014 in the Kyrgyz Republic, the World Nomad Games have become a prominent biennial event, previously hosted by Kyrgyzstan and Turkiye, with each edition gaining recognition and participation.

Kazakhstan's historical ties to nomadic traditions and its experience hosting major events like EXPO 2017 make it an ideal host for the games. By organizing the Fifth World Nomad Games, Kazakhstan aims to preserve the rich cultural heritage of nomadic peoples, promote its cultural identity, and strengthen international bonds. The event serves as a pivotal cultural occasion for not only Kazakhstan but also the broader Central Asian region.

The World Nomad Games provide a unique opportunity for those outside Central Asia to immerse themselves in the vibrant cultures of nomadic peoples. Attendees can witness rare sports, engage in interactive workshops, traditional crafts, and enjoy authentic nomadic cuisine.

(With inputs from agencies.)