Nomad Games attract record 109 national teams and celebrate nomadic heritage
6th World Nomad Games were held in the Kyrgyz Republic. 109 teams from all continents took part. They competed in 42 disciplines. Scientific and cultural events and an ethno-village completed the programme of the games aimed at preserving and promoting nomadic culture, tradition & history worldwide.
The 6th World Nomad Games were held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyz Republic. The grand opening was the maiden event for the newly built Bishkek Arena with more than 3,000 athletes in 109 national teams. Symbolically organised on the 35th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s independence, the opening also had more than 20 heads of state and government in attendance as their Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit coincided with the Games.
Sportsmen competed in 42 disciplines, some traditional in Central Asian nomadic cultures, like kokpar, Kok boru, horseback wrestling or bone crushing and some popular globally like archery, tug of war and horse races.
An ethno-village was opened in Kyrchyn gorge which demonstrated ancient nomadic way of life.
Hundreds of sports events were held over a six- day event which culminated in traditional Kazakh, Kyrgyz rivalry with two countries sweeping the medals.
The Games were visited by more than 200,000 people while more than 2000 Kyrgyz and 550 foreign journalists and bloggers made sure the world found out about the nomad ways.
