The IV World Nomad Games will be held from September 29 through October 2 in Turkey. According to official figures, more than 3,000 athletes from 102 countries are expected to take part in them. The Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan Azamat Zhamankulov told 24.kg news agency about the readiness of Kyrgyzstan for the Games.
— We received an official invitation to participate last week. The Games will be held in Iznik town, Bursa province.
This place was chosen for a reason. During the Ottoman conquests of Asia Minor, the Kyrgyz helped the Turks to take this town.
Then it was called Nicaea and was the capital of the province. The siege of the fortress by the Turks could not be crowned with success until a detachment of Kyrgyz soldiers arrived to help, who stormed it ahead of the troops. Everyone was killed, but Iznik was taken, and the imperial army of Byzantium was defeated. During the siege of the town, tens of thousands of soldiers of the army of Osman Gazi were killed, but he erected a memorial only to Kyrgyz soldiers. It stands there to this day and is called «Kırgızlar Türbesi».
— How many athletes from Kyrgyzstan will participate in the Games?
— Turkey announced that all the disciplines that were at the III World Nomad Games are included in the upcoming competitions. We train 400 athletes in 37 types of competitions.
— In what disciplines can we expect victories?
— We count on medals in wrestling, in the intellectual game toguz korgool, complex hunting games with birds of prey, dogs and archery, as well as in equestrian competitions kok-boru, alaman ulak and at chabysh.
— An end was put to the dispute over kok-boru and kokparu. Both disciplines are included in the sports agenda. Do you know which one has more applications from participants?
— According to the latest information, there are more applications from national teams for kok-boru than for kokparu. During the past three WNGs, many states got used to playing exactly kok-boru, so there is more interest in it.
— Will the national team of Kyrgyzstan bring their own horses or will the organizers provide them?
— We together with Kazakhstan are thinking about the transportation of our horses.
— How much money will be required for the participation of Kyrgyzstan in sports competitions and cultural events?
— We only cover the cost of the round-trip tickets. Everything else is the responsibility of the receiving party. About 50 million soms have been allocated for participants of cultural and sports programs. This amount should be enough.
— What cultural program is Kyrgyzstan preparing?
— Each of the participating countries will present its performance at the opening. We also asked the organizers for a place to set up a yurt camp. This issue is under discussion.
— Will the Kyrgyz athletes have uniform for the parade and competitions?
— Yes, they will. The Department of Sports announced a competition among designers. The winners have already been determined. We will soon announce to the public what uniform the athletes will have. It is modern with national elements.
— Is it likely that the Games will return to Kyrgyzstan?
— A decisive end is not yet put. Closer to September, it will become clear who will take over the baton.
— The next big event in the sports life of Kyrgyzstan is participation of the national football team in the Asian Cup. What about funding?
— Funding for participation in the Asian Cup has already begun. The team requested about 60 million soms. Footballers have training camps and matches in different countries. The money is allocated in installments.
