The opening ceremony of the 5th World Nomad Games took place in Astana.
A traditional parade of sports delegations of the participating countries was held. Kyrgyzstan opened the parade as the founding country of the Games, and the host country Kazakhstan closed it.
As the organizers note, athletes from Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Australia are participating in the World Nomad Games this year. Representatives from more than 85 countries and about 3,000 participants are expected to arrive. A total of 97 sets of medals will be awarded.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy, the Kyrgyz Republic is represented by 253 athletes, who will participate in 21 competitions.
The audience was shown a theatrical performance dedicated to the rich culture and history, traditions and customs of the nomadic civilization, as well as the preservation of our common home — the Earth.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to the leaders of fraternal states, distinguished guests and athletes, who arrived in Astana to participate in an important event of international significance.
We are grateful to our Kyrgyz brothers who first organized these competitions ten years ago. These Games are the world’s largest competitions in national sports, one could say, the Olympics of nomads. They promote nomadic civilization at the global level.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
The opening ceremony was also attended by the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov.
According to Akorda.kz, the honorary guests of the event, which took place at Astana Arena, were also the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the Head of the Sakha Republic Aisen Nikolayev, the former leader of Mongolia Nambaryn Enkhbayar, the President of the World Ethnosport Confederation Bilal Erdogan and other officials.
The events in Astana will last until September 13. The World Nomad Games have been held on the initiative of Kyrgyzstan since 2014.
