Dr. Abdulrahim AbdalWahed
ASTANA – The 5th World Nomad Games (WNG) officially kicked off in the Kazakh capital Astana, with more than 2,500 athletes and thousands of guests from 89 countries taking part, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of nomadic civilizations, unique sports and traditions passed down through generations. In his opening remarks, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the historical significance of nomadic cultures and their enduring legacy in shaping the world, while the Kazakh national team won 48 medals, including 21 gold awards, after three days of competition at the 5th World Nomad Games, which are being held from September 8 to 13.
The third day of the fifth WNG, Sept. 10, featured nine sports, reported the Tourism and Sports Ministry’s press service. The Kazanat Hippodrome is hosting the quarter-finals of kokpar between Kazakhstan and the United States. At the ethno-village, zhamby atu competitions are held in the Turkic style. On Sept. 9, Kazakh athletes won 23 awards, including 13 gold medals.
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According to the National and Equestrian Sports Center’s press service, the fourth day of the WNG will feature nine sports.
Ethno-village next to the Kazanat Hippodrome will host zhamby atu competitions or traditional horseback archery in the Kazakh style.
Kazakh national team has five medals in zhamby atu – two gold and two bronze in the Asian and Turkish styles and one silver in the Asian style.
Kazakhstan’s Azamat Makulbekov will compete in the powerful nomad strongman competition in the ethno-village.
Today, the Kazanat Hippodrome hosted a semi-final match in kokpar, in which the Kazakhstan national team defeated the Russian athletes 18:2.
Also, Kazakhstan will compete with Türkiye as part of the group stage in the kok boru tournament. Earlier, the Kazakhstan national team defeated the U.S. team 18-0. The leader of Group B, the Kyrgyz Republic, will meet with Russia.
Twenty Kazakh athletes will compete in the arkan tartys (tug-of-war) events at the Alau Ice Palace, which will also host the final competitions in assyk atu (knocking out knucklebones).
The Kazanat Hippodrome hosted kokpar competitions, with 104 athletes from nine countries participating. The teams of China, Hungary, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Russia, Türkiye, the United States and Uzbekistan will compete for medals.
183 Athletes from 33 Nations
Traditional archery competitions have started at the Argymak Equestrian Sports Complex. 183 athletes from 33 nations, including 10 members of the Kazakhstan national team, will compete in four disciplines, including a team competition.
The Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace hosted competitions in Qazaq Kuresi, a type of traditional wrestling, with 274 athletes from 41 countries. Athletes will compete in eight weight categories among men and women.
The Alau Ice Palace also hosted a kurash tournament, featuring 106 participants from 27 nations, including eight Kazakh athletes: Yernur Suleiman, Aibek Kazakhbayev, Nurdin Shaimerden, Bekadil Shaimerdenov, Marat Baikamurov, Altynai Nurkhanova, Azhar Salykova and Albina Bakhiyeva. The tournament will last two days.
The Alau Ice Palace is hosting assyk atu (knocking out knucklebones). Thirty-nine athletes from 12 countries will compete for victory. Kazakhstan’s team is represented by Nurkissa Molzhigitov, Zhomart Nurlanov, Kerim Zhazdykbay, Amandos Aitkulov, Perizat Yelemes, Kamila Daniyarova, and Saniya Asker. The final games will take place on Sept. 11.
Ethno-village next to the Kazanat Hippodrome hosted zhamby atu competitions or traditional horseback archery in the Asian
The Kazakh team clinched gold medals in three weight categories in audaryspak, a traditional horseback wrestling sport, on the first day of the fifth World Nomad Games.
In the 60-kilogram category, Yermek Kuralbay defeated Zheksenbek Turdibekov from the Kyrgyz Republic. A Mongolian athlete claimed third place, while Almas Kamaldinov from Russia secured fourth. In the 70-kilogram category, Kazakh wrestler Almat Latipbek won against a competitor from the Kyrgyz Republic. An athlete from Uzbekistan took third, and Mongolia secured fourth. Daryn Otkelbay brought home another gold for Kazakhstan in the 80-kilogram category, overcoming a wrestler from Uzbekistan. The Kyrgyz Republic took third place, while Russia placed fourth.
Tokayev Explain the Aims
President Tokayev said: “Nomadic civilization has left a deep mark on world history and Since ancient times, the nomads of the Great Steppe have lived in Eurasia and the new technologies they developed provided the impetus for the global progress, serving as a bridge between East and West, nomads played a crucial role in the rapprochement of various cultures”.
“Five thousand years ago nomads domesticated the horse and shaped a horseback riding culture that spread across the world. Masters of the steppe created advanced weapons and crafted marvelous jewelry, the archeological discovery of the Golden men of the Saks period is a bright testimony to that” , He added.
H. E. explain: The Kazakh land is home to outstanding historical figures like Al-Farabi and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, who made a significant contribution to the development of science and humanistic ideas. Since ancient time our peoples have been hospitable, open to innovation, tolerant of all cultures. We lived in harmony with nature.
The president added: “Nomads are born courageous. The great nomadic life will never cease to exist. Even amid globalization, the nomadic lifestyle that existed for a thousand years is reviving and taking a new shape”.
Modern nomads are making efforts to reclaim a central place in history. In this dynamic era, we need to preserve that same spirit of freedom, while embracing both progressive achievements and the values of a modern time.
“We are the descendants of wise and brave nomads who were able to preserve their unique identity and gave us the civilization of the Great steppe.
Our common duty is to cherish this sacred heritage and to pass it on to future generations. The Nomad Games are a special project inspired by this noble goal”. The president added
“Kazakhstan is known to everyone as a land of peace and coexistence. Indeed, various ethnic and religious groups coexist peacefully here. We have established close ties with both neighborly and distant countries, we wish to see other states also live in harmony with each other”. He added.
WNG in Numbers:
• A total of 1,185 media applications were received from 64 countries for accreditation, were 815 applications from domestic journalists and 370 from foreign journalists.
• Around 560 sport horses are participating in the games: 114 horses of the National Team and 300 horses rented by the directorate for participants from other countries who did not bring their own horses.
• The traditional kusbegilik hunting competition will involve around 45 birds, including eagles, falcons and hawks from Mongolia and the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as birds of our national team. The birds will be placed in the capital’s circus. All places of accommodation for animals participating in the games meet the necessary veterinary and sanitary standards.
• Twenty hotels and 331 vehicles will be mobilized to accommodate athletes attending the WNG.
• FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE WORLD NOMAD GAMES WERE HELD IN KYRGYZSTAN. THE CITY OF CHOLPON-ATA HAS HOSTED INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS THREE TIMES:
• 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 4th WNG were held in 2022 in Iznik, Turkey.
