World Nomad Games in Astana: Features, history and significance of the event
On September 8, the fifth World Nomad Games (WNG) will start in Astana – a unique sporting event reflecting the rich cultural heritage and traditions of nomadic peoples. The main goal of the games is to preserve and popularize traditional nomadic sports. The World Nomad Games will attract not only local residents, but also spectators from all over the world, offering exciting competitions and vibrant cultural events, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
As Nail Nurov, head of the directorate for the preparation and holding of the V World Nomad Games, noted earlier, this is also a unique opportunity to demonstrate the achievements of national sports and draw attention to the athletes who have chosen them as their professional activity.
“Today, national sports are extremely popular all over the world. This is evidenced by the dynamics of the development of the World Nomad Games. Over the past few years, the number of participating countries has increased significantly. But there are practically no competitions in the world where ethnic athletes who have chosen national sports could compete under their flag. There are no world championships, Asian and European games, or Olympic games for ethnic national sports. This is unfair. The World Nomad Games are designed to solve this problem. Athletes should be given the opportunity to compete under the flag of their country at least once every two years at international competitions,” says Nail Nurov.
History and meaning of the World Nomad Games
The idea of creating the Nomad Games originated in Kyrgyzstan, where three international tournaments have been successfully held. The city of Cholpon-Ata hosted the following competitions:
2014: 583 athletes from 19 countries, 10 sports.
2016: 1,200 athletes from 62 countries, 26 sports.
2018: 2,000 athletes from 82 countries, 37 sports.
The events attracted participants not only from the CIS, but also from the Middle East. The games are based on traditional games typical of the nomadic peoples of Central Asia.
The fourth World Games were supposed to be held in 2020, but were postponed due to the pandemic and took place only in 2022 in Turkey, in the city of Iznik. Then, more than 3,000 athletes from 102 countries took part in them, medals were played out in 13 sports.
The games will be held in Kazakhstan
After the end of the competition in Türkiye, the organizers presented the representatives of Kazakhstan with a symbolic ceramic jug, which designated the host country for the next World Nomad Games.
The fifth World Nomad Games will be held in Astana under the motto "Uly dala dubiri" (Meeting in the Great Steppe) from September 8 to 13. The choice of date is also not accidental: September is traditionally associated with a holiday for nomads, marking the end of the transition from summer to winter camp. The caravan route with yurts and property usually ended at the new camp with a toi (celebration) with rituals, games and competitions.
Game Identity
The official logo of the Astana Games includes an important identity element — a solar rider. It is present in all logos of the World Nomad Games. The logo uses elements of dark red. This color represents the simplicity and elegance of a semi-precious stone — carnelian. With its reddish hue, carnelian resembles blood and fire, and is associated with vital energy, the heart, and the sun. Household items — kamshy, belbeu, and traditional jewelry — were decorated with dark-toned carnelian.
The text part of the logo is made in a font stylized as the runic Turkic script of the 8th–10th centuries.
Organising Committee
The organizer of the World Nomad Games is the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. For effective preparation and holding, the Organizing Committee of the World Nomad Games was created under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Organizing Committee includes heads of state authorized bodies, national companies, enterprises, public organizations, as well as heads of akimats of regions and cities of national significance.
To carry out organizational work, the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan created the Directorate for the preparation and holding of the World Nomad Games Astana 2024.
Games program in Astana
The program of the 5th World Nomad Games includes three main areas: sports, culture and science.
Sport program
Games Of Strategy:
· Mangala
· Oware
· Togyzkumalak (toguz korgool)
Games Of Strength
· Kurash
· Qazaq Kuresi
· Mas-Wrestling
· Powerful Nomad. Strongman Competition
· Alysh
· Tug Of War
· Ashyrtmaly Aba Gureshi
· Koresh
Games Of Skill
· Kusbegilik
· Asyk Atu
· Traditional Archery
· Ordo
Games On Horseback
· Baige
· Kokpar
· Kok Boru
· Tenge Ilu
· Horseback Wrestling
· Horseback Archery
Cultural program
The day before the opening ceremony of the Games, the opening of the ethno-village "Universe of Nomads" will take place. It will be located on the territory adjacent to the hippodrome "Kazanat", on an area of about 10 hectares. On this day, a bright theatrical performance "Astana - the capital of nomads" will take place. Foreign guests who arrived for the World Nomad Games, heads of international sports organizations will take part in the event.
Cultural events will be held daily on the concert venue of the ethno-village - the largest exhibition-fair of the best craftsmen of Kazakhstan with demonstrations of works and master classes, where the masters will share the secrets of their craft. An integral part of the cultural program will be the traditional competition of akyns "Aitys". Modern trends in the world of culture will be shown by the festival "Universe of Nomads".
Scientific program
The scientific program of the 5th World Nomad Games in Astana includes an international scientific and practical conference entitled "Nomads: History, Knowledge, Lessons", which will be held from September 9 to 11. Conference participants will present abstracts and posters.
Let us remind you that the total amount of prize money at the 5th World Nomad Games will be 253 million tenge. They will be individual for each sport. In team sports - kokpar and kok-boru, the winning team will receive 10 million tenge, second place - 6 million tenge, third place - 4 million tenge.
The national team will be represented by 200 athletes. More than 30 training camps were held in the country. Kazakhstan championships in qualifying tournaments and competitions were organized.
The opening ceremony of the sporting event is scheduled for September 8 at the Astana Arena stadium. The games will be held on the territory of 6 capital facilities: Astana Arena stadium, Kazanat hippodrome, Martial Arts Palace named after Zh. Ushkempirov, Alau Ice Palace, Qazaqstan Track and Field Arena, Duman complex.
89 countries have confirmed their participation in the V World Nomad Games. More than 2,500 athletes are expected to arrive.
The capital of Kazakhstan is actively preparing for this large-scale event. The large-scale program has been launched to cover the event. Thus, since June 25, 100 new branded buses have appeared on the streets of Astana. Their design was specially developed for the 5th World Nomad Games.
Also, on the eve of the Games, activists from the capital held a horse procession along the streets of the city.
In addition, a presentation for foreign bloggers and influencers was held at the Qazaqstan athletics complex. 11 bloggers from Thailand, Malaysia, China, Oman, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Italy and Kyrgyzstan took part.
