Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), August 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the grand opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games at Bishkek Arena and greeted members of the Indian contingent participating in the international sporting event.
The 87-member Indian contingent, comprising 73 athletes, 10 cultural representatives and four participants in the scientific programme, entered the arena carrying the national flag. Prime Minister Modi waved to the contingent as it passed by during the ceremony.
The 6th World Nomad Games are being held in Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 6, bringing together athletes and participants from several countries to celebrate traditional sports, nomadic culture and the heritage of ancient civilisations.
Prime Minister Modi is visiting Bishkek at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. During his visit, he is also scheduled to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
The main events of the Games will be held at venues in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrchyn and other locations across the Issyk-Kul region.
The World Nomad Games were conceived following the Bishkek Declaration signed in 2012 by Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey at the Summit of the Heads of Turkic States. The inaugural edition was held in Kyrgyzstan in 2014, followed by the 2016 and 2018 editions in the country. The Games were subsequently hosted by Iznik, Turkey, in 2022 and Astana, Kazakhstan, in 2024.
The 2026 edition features an extensive sporting programme with 43 disciplines, including traditional wrestling styles, equestrian competitions, indigenous games and strength-based events.
Among the key disciplines are Goresh, Kurash and Mongol Bokh, along with Kok Boru, Kekpar, Toguz Korgool, Mangala, Oware, Chuko, Ordo, tug of war and strongman competitions.
Key Sporting Disciplines
Goresh: Goresh is a traditional Turkmen form of belt wrestling. The ancient combat sport involves wrestlers wearing special belts and attempting to throw their opponents to the ground.
Kurash:Kurash is an ancient Uzbek standing wrestling style in which the objective is to throw an opponent onto their back. Ground wrestling, strikes, chokes, joint locks and grips below the belt are prohibited.
Mongol Bokh:Mongol Bokh is the traditional folk wrestling style of Mongolia. Wrestlers aim to make their opponent touch the ground with any part of the body other than the feet.
Prime Minister Modi's presence at the opening ceremony underscores India's engagement with Kyrgyzstan and highlights the growing cultural, sporting and people-to-people ties between the two countries. India's participation in the World Nomad Games also reflects its engagement with the wider cultural traditions and sporting heritage represented by the event.
