Ahmedabad, 10 October (H.S.):The BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026 will be held in Ahmedabad on October 12, with Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya scheduled to inaugurate the event at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. Organised under India’s BRICS presidency, the event will bring together delegations from member and partner countries to showcase their traditional sporting disciplines and rich cultural heritage.

The event is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, and the Government of Gujarat. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, and Gujarat Minister of State for Sports Dr Jayram Gamit will also attend the programme.

The initiative aims to promote cultural exchange, preserve traditional sporting heritage and strengthen cooperation among nations through sports. Designed as a non-competitive platform, the event will focus on demonstrations of traditional games, their documentation and the exchange of knowledge about their origins and practices. Particular emphasis will be placed on their cultural significance and interaction among athletes, practitioners and custodians of traditional sporting disciplines.

The event will feature a diverse range of traditional and indigenous sporting practices from participating countries.

Belarus will showcase Gorodki, while Bolivia will present traditional disciplines and cultural practices, including Lucha de Cholitas, Tinku, Rayuela, Trompo, Cachinas and sack racing.

Brazil will demonstrate indigenous blowgun techniques, log racing, para-jiu-jitsu and capoeira.

China will present wushu, lion dancing and qigong, a traditional practice associated with health and well-being. Ethiopia will showcase traditional wrestling, Gena and other indigenous sporting activities.

India will be represented by Mallakhamb, yogasana and Kalaripayattu, highlighting the country’s longstanding traditions of physical discipline, martial arts and mind-body practices.

Iran will feature Zurkhaneh, Haft Sang and Ghaniyeh. Kazakhstan will showcase Assyk Atu, Toguz Kumalak and Kazakh wrestling, while Russia will present Gorodki and sambo.

South Africa will demonstrate Kgati and Intonga, while the United Arab Emirates will showcase the traditional game of Al Tabbah.

Bilateral meetings between Indian representatives and delegations from participating countries are also planned during the event. Discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in sports and exploring opportunities to promote traditional and indigenous games within the BRICS framework.

The gathering will provide an opportunity to celebrate the diverse sporting heritage of participating nations while fostering cultural understanding, meaningful dialogue and stronger people-to-people ties among BRICS countries.

By bringing traditional sporting practices together on a common platform, the event seeks to highlight the importance of indigenous games in preserving cultural identity and promoting international cooperation through sport.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar