The First World Nomad Games will take place in the city of Cholpon-Ata on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, with preliminary data indicating participation from 12 countries. This was announced at a press conference by the Deputy Minister of Culture and Director of the Tourism Department of the Kyrgyz Republic, Maksat Chakiev. He is confident that these games will increase tourist attention to the country.
According to him, an agreement has currently been reached with eight countries, and a working group has been established. Central Asian countries, as well as Turkey and the Caucasus, have confirmed their participation, and efforts are also being made to attract participants from America and Europe.
Officials believe that by September 2014, there will be even more countries ready to come to Kyrgyzstan. Conference participants reported that the cultural part, which includes a film festival, performances by various musical and dance groups, as well as exhibitions of folk arts and crafts, will take place at the "Rukh-Ordo" complex. An "Ethno-Village" will be set up in the Semenov Gorge, while the sports games will be held at the racetrack in Cholpon-Ata.
- Recently, another meeting was held in Istanbul regarding the upcoming competitions. We discussed organizational issues. The main purpose of the project is to preserve the history of the peoples. It is worth noting that each competition will be held in different countries, according to the rules of the host country. Thus, we help the state to express itself and showcase its national traditions, - noted the head of the Center for the Development of National Sports of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almaz Kasenov.
- These competitions will serve as an alternative to the Olympic Games. Our task is to popularize national sports and represent Kyrgyzstan on the world stage, - emphasized the head of the main office of the "World Nomad Games," Ruslan Ashymkanov.
- We are on the verge of creating a new brand. The 20th century gave the world many sports mega-brands, such as FIFA, UEFA, NHL, WBC. In the new century, another brand will emerge - the "World Nomad Games." We named them this way to unite all the countries where such games are held. Many states are already competing for the right to host these games, - stated the president of the "World Ethno Games" foundation, Askat Akibaev.
Competitions will be held in the following sports: kok-boru, at-chabysh, oodarysh, ordo, toguz-korgool, kurash, and national wrestling styles of the participating countries will be represented. Winners will also be determined in games such as kyz kumai, tyin enmei, jigitovka, archery, competitions of batyrs, as well as national hunting with trained birds and dogs.