More than 2,000 athletes will revive ancient war techniques in sports disciplines such as horseback archery and falconry.
While the Paralympic Games end in Paris, another world sporting event begins in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan: the World Nomad Games.
This is a biannual initiative in which athletes use the ancient warfare skills of historically nomadic peoples.
The 21 disciplines include horseback fighting, horseback archery, martial arts and falconry, as well as cultural and scientific games.
The tradition of nomadic peoples in sports competitions
The World Nomad Games are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, whose objective is to develop and preserve the etnodeportes and the movement etnocultural.
“The World Nomad Games are a unique possibility to show the world the rich historical and cultural heritage of our country,” he explained to ‘Euronews‘ the Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balayeva. They also allow the country to “show the spirit of our nation, show the soul of the Kazakh people,” he added.
This fifth edition of the Games is celebrated from September 8 to 13.
More than 2,000 athletes from about 90 countries participate. Organizers say the list has grown far beyond countries that have a nomadic heritage.
“The interesting thing is the geography of the participating countries,” the president of Tourism of Kazakhstan told ‘Euronews’, Kairat Sadvakassov.
“From Australia to Canada, from South Africa to Great Britain. They are States that have little nomadic tradition in the past, which means that These Games are growing all over the world.”
The first three editions were held in Kyrgyzstanwhile the last one took place in Türkiye.
Additional sources • Enrique Barrueco (Voice-over)
