Monday, September 9, 2024 The much-awaited 5th World Nomad Games commenced in Astana, Kazakhstan, with an impressive opening ceremony held at the Astana Arena. This grand event has attracted more than 2,500 athletes and numerous visitors from 89 nations, celebrating the vibrant cultural legacy of nomadic societies and showcasing the unique sports and customs preserved over the centuries. In his opening address, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the historical significance of nomadic cultures and their lasting legacy in shaping the world.
“The Kazakh land is home to outstanding historical figures such as Al-Farabi and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, who made significant contributions to the development of science and humanistic ideas. Our ancestors established powerful states and built beautiful medieval cities in the Great Steppe, including Otyrar, Turkestan, Taraz, and Saraishyk,” he noted. The Kazakh president highlighted the unifying force of the Nomad Games, noting that they not only honor traditional sports but also foster worldwide unity and mutual understanding.
“This is the biggest sports competition of its kind in the world. Sport itself is a symbol of respect and solidarity. Its key purpose is to strengthen friendship among nations.
Kazakhstan is known to everyone as a land of peace and coexistence,” said President Tokayev. “I am confident that the Nomad Games will help foster international solidarity.” The World Nomad Games, recognized as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List, have become the premier global event for traditional sports.
This competition draws participants from all over the world, including Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Australia. Spanning from September 9th to September 13th, athletes engage in a wide array of nomadic sports such as horseback archery, martial arts, falconry, and traditional wrestling, providing a platform for showcasing their nations’ cultural heritage on an international stage. The opening ceremony saw the attendance of prominent global figures, including Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Zhaparov, Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan’s People’s Council, Tatarstan’s leader Rustam Minnikhanov, and Aisen Nikolayev, head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
Distinguished guests also included former Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar and Bilal Erdoğan, President of the World Ethnosport Confederation. Representatives from key international bodies such as UNESCO, the UN World Tourism Organization, the Organization of Turkic States, and the European Union were present as well. The evening concluded with a captivating cultural showcase that took the audience through Kazakhstan’s storied past, from the Tengri era and the rise of the khanates to its contemporary evolution.
The performance highlighted timeless themes of harmony with nature, reverence for the earth, and the collective responsibility to safeguard the planet, humanity’s shared home. With competitions in 21 different sports, the World Nomad Games serve as a unique platform for countries with nomadic traditions, along with others, to unite in a celebration of cultural diversity. This event fosters friendship and peace through sportsmanship.
The first three editions of the Games were hosted in Kyrgyzstan, with the most recent one held in Türkiye..
