Astana, 9 September 2024 (TDI): The 5th World Nomad Games kicked off in a spectacular fashion at the Astana Arena, drawing over 2,500 athletes and thousands of guests from 89 countries.
The opening ceremony marked a vibrant celebration of the cultural heritage of nomadic civilizations, highlighting the unique sports and traditions passed down through generations.
Addressing the gathering, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about the historical significance of nomadic cultures and their enduring influence on the world.
The Kazakh land is home to outstanding historical personalities such as Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and Al-Farabi, who made considerable contributions to the development of science and humanistic ideas, he remarked.
Our ancestors established powerful states and built beautiful medieval cities in the Great Steppe, including Otyrar, Turkestan, Taraz, and Saraishyk, the president added.
President Tokayev emphasized that the games symbolize not only a celebration of traditional sports but also a commitment to global unity and mutual respect.
He said that this is the biggest sports competition of its kind in the world. Sport itself is a symbol of solidarity and respect.
Its main purpose is to strengthen friendship among countries. Kazakhstan is known to everyone as a land of peace and coexistence, he added.
World Nomad Games
Recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage List, the World Nomad Games have grown into the largest event dedicated to traditional sports, drawing participants from across Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Australia.
The event, running from September 9 to 13, will feature a diverse array of nomadic sports, including horseback archery, martial arts, falconry, and traditional wrestling, providing a global platform to showcase unique cultural traditions.
The opening ceremony was attended by several international dignitaries, including Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Zhaparov, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Aisen Nikolayev, Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
Other notable attendees included former Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar and President of the World Ethnosport Confederation, Bilal Erdoğan, as well as representatives from UNESCO, the UN World Tourism Organization, the Organization of Turkic States, and the European Union.
Read Also: Factsheet on Fifth World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan
The evening culminated in a mesmerizing cultural performance that took the audience on a journey through Kazakhstan’s rich history, from the Tengri period and the great khanates to the modern era.
The performance paid homage to enduring values such as harmony with nature, respect for the land, and the shared responsibility of protecting the planet as a common home.
Featuring competitions in 21 sports, the World Nomad Games provide a platform for countries with shared nomadic roots, as well as others, to come together in a celebration of cultural diversity, fostering friendship and peace through sport.
The first three editions of the Games were held in Kyrgyzstan, while the last one took place in Türkiye.
