The World Nomad Games represent a key international event for Kyrgyzstan, contributing to the country's tourist appeal and strengthening its image on the global stage. In connection with the upcoming Games in 2026, our correspondent VB.KG spoke with Belek Usenbekov, Deputy Head of the International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games and Coordinator of the Sports Direction. He shared details about the preparations, the increase in the number of participants, new programs, and infrastructure tasks, as well as what will distinguish the upcoming Games from previous ones.
How is the preparation for the World Nomad Games going?
Currently, preparations are actively ongoing. The organizing committee was established at the beginning of this year and includes representatives from all important ministries and agencies. It is headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Edil Baisalov, which underscores the high level of state support for this project.
The International Secretariat coordinates operational processes, promotes the Games abroad, develops programs in the fields of sports, culture, and science, and interacts with international organizations and participating countries. The early launch of organizational activities has allowed for a clearer system of interaction between agencies and increased the efficiency of preparations.
What are the expectations for the number of participating countries?
Each year, the number of countries participating in the Games is growing. Throughout the existence of the project, there has been an increase in the number of participants:
2014 - 19 countries.
2016 - 61 countries.
2018 - 84 countries.
2022 (Turkey) - 79 countries.
2024 (Kazakhstan) - 89 countries.
In 2026, Kyrgyzstan plans to host about 100 countries. At the end of June, the organizing committee sent invitations through diplomatic channels and the Ministries of Culture, Sports, and Science of other states.
The program of the Games includes three main components - sports, culture, and science, which makes it unique and distinguishes it from the Olympic Games and other international events.
What new developments are expected in the sports and cultural programs?
The sports program will feature 43 sports, many of which are traditional for nomadic peoples, with an expected participation of about 3,000 athletes.
A new expanded demonstration program will be introduced, within which each country will be able to present its unique national games, creating a platform for intercultural exchange and the promotion of traditional sports.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for August 31 in Bishkek, after which all delegations will be directed to the Issyk-Kul region to participate in the main events.
The cultural program includes an international ethno-festival, competitions in ethno-music, ethno-fashion, and ethno-hits, as well as competitions for epic storytellers, which will take place in the Rukh Ordo cultural center and in the Kychyn gorge, creating a unique atmosphere.
How is the work on infrastructure projects and inter-agency cooperation progressing?
This summer, an inter-agency plan for preparing for the Games was approved, which includes a clear distribution of responsibilities among state bodies from May 2025 to September 2026.
The Ministry of Culture is responsible for cultural events, the State Agency for Sports is responsible for the sports program, the Ministry of Science will oversee international scientific and practical conferences, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for promoting the Games and cooperating with diplomatic missions, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport, and other agencies are responsible for security, medical support, and logistics.
Funding for the project will be provided by the Cabinet of Ministers, and the budget is currently being formed and must be approved by the Ministry of Finance by the end of the year.
What difficulties is the secretariat currently facing?
The secretariat faces large-scale and multifaceted tasks, including logistics, transport schemes, security provision, accommodation of delegations, preparation of facilities, and international promotion. Most problems are related to the need to coordinate actions among numerous state structures.
How will the upcoming Games differ from the 2018 Games?
The main difference lies in the development of a complete package of documents regulating the conduct of the Games. In 2018, the transfer of the Games to Turkey was symbolic and took place without a concept and official guidelines, complicating the process. Currently, the following are being prepared:
an agreement between the host side and the secretariat, the concept of the Games, a conduct guide, and a list of mandatory national sports.
What is the economic and tourist impact of the WNG?
The Nomad Games have become one of the most successful tools for promoting Kyrgyzstan on the international stage. After the first Games, the tourist flow increased by 3-5 times, and the country's image significantly improved: Kyrgyzstan became associated with the unique culture of nomads, nature, and hospitality.
Presentations and videos about Kyrgyzstan regularly appeared on Euronews and other international channels, and the country made it to the top tourist recommendations of National Geographic and several global communities.
What events will be the highlights of the opening?
On August 31, four significant events will take place:
Independence Day of Kyrgyzstan,
the opening of the SCO summit with the participation of 15 heads of state, the presentation of the new "Azattyk Arena" stadium in Bishkek, which accommodates over 50,000 spectators, and the grand opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games, prepared by an international team of directors.
The closing of the Games will take place at the Cholpon-Ata racetrack, where a theatrical performance and the final ceremony will be held.
