Accessibility links

Subscribe
All RFE/RL sites
All RFE/RL websites Follow RFE/RL on Google
site logo site logo
Previous Next
Breaking News
News

World Nomad Games Moved To 2021 Due To Pandemic

Updated
Competitors in action at the 2018 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.
Competitors in action at the 2018 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.

Turkish authorities have moved the Fourth World Nomad Games to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The games, an international competition dedicated to ethnic sports, were scheduled to be held in the Turkish city of Bursa in autumn this year.

The President of the Turkey-based World Ethnosport Confederation, Bilal Erdogan, said on July 9 that the decision was made after consultations with Turkey's Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Health Ministry to prevent a surge in coronavirus cases.

Kyrgyzstan’s Hills Come Alive With The Sound Of Nomads

The yurt city nestled in the bowl-shaped valley of Kyrchyn Gorge, the second, and most spectacular, venue of the 2018 Nomad Games.
1/15 The yurt city nestled in the bowl-shaped valley of Kyrchyn Gorge, the second, and most spectacular, venue of the 2018 Nomad Games.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Young locals take the low road as their horse clatters through a mountain stream on the way to the opening ceremony at Kyrchyn Gorge.
2/15 Young locals take the low road as their horse clatters through a mountain stream on the way to the opening ceremony at Kyrchyn Gorge.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Horsemen fight through clouds of dust during a simulated battle as part of the kickoff.
3/15 Horsemen fight through clouds of dust during a simulated battle as part of the kickoff.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
A traditional game that earned hollers from the crowd saw a male rider gallop after a young woman, stretching for a kiss. Only a handful of the men managed the risky peck before the young women turned the tables and thundered after the men with whips in hand.
4/15 A traditional game that earned hollers from the crowd saw a male rider gallop after a young woman, stretching for a kiss. Only a handful of the men managed the risky peck before the young women turned the tables and thundered after the men with whips in hand.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Riders stand atop their horses as they speed past the crowds.
5/15 Riders stand atop their horses as they speed past the crowds.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Spectators gather to watch the action. According to AFP, around 1,000 foreign visitors attended these games. Along with the apparent increase in tourists from the 2016 event, there was a noticeable increase in peddling, with men attempting to sell horseback rides and selfies with eagles. RFE/RL was approached by one young local trying to sell a map that had come free as part of the press goodie bag.
6/15 Spectators gather to watch the action. According to AFP, around 1,000 foreign visitors attended these games. Along with the apparent increase in tourists from the 2016 event, there was a noticeable increase in peddling, with men attempting to sell horseback rides and selfies with eagles. RFE/RL was approached by one young local trying to sell a map that had come free as part of the press goodie bag.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Another traditional Turkic challenge played out as jousters engaged in high-speed passes. Amid the dust-clouded chaos of the ceremony, it was sometimes hard to tell if tumbles were choreographed or painfully accidental.
7/15 Another traditional Turkic challenge played out as jousters engaged in high-speed passes. Amid the dust-clouded chaos of the ceremony, it was sometimes hard to tell if tumbles were choreographed or painfully accidental.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
As the opening ceremony drew to a loudly applauded close, VIPs choppered out of the gorge and locals tried out other entertainment, including this man-made lakelet.
8/15 As the opening ceremony drew to a loudly applauded close, VIPs choppered out of the gorge and locals tried out other entertainment, including this man-made lakelet.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Nazira Ivanova rehearses with her bandmates before taking the stage at an event for traditional music. The song, which stopped several passersby in their tracks, was "about love," she told RFE/RL. 
9/15 Nazira Ivanova rehearses with her bandmates before taking the stage at an event for traditional music. The song, which stopped several passersby in their tracks, was "about love," she told RFE/RL. 
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Elderly friends bask in evening light as the crowds of Kyrchyn begin to thin.
10/15 Elderly friends bask in evening light as the crowds of Kyrchyn begin to thin.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
A boy runs a fast-paced high-wire act. The young man ascended the single rope on the left backward without a safety cord, though he harnessed himself in for his trick runs.
11/15 A boy runs a fast-paced high-wire act. The young man ascended the single rope on the left backward without a safety cord, though he harnessed himself in for his trick runs.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Kyrgyz in traditional clothing.
12/15 Kyrgyz in traditional clothing.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Two archers head for the carpark.
13/15 Two archers head for the carpark.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
A woman leaves her yurt with a pile of dishes as the games' attendees settle in for the night in the chilly mountain venue.
14/15 A woman leaves her yurt with a pile of dishes as the games' attendees settle in for the night in the chilly mountain venue.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
This year marks the last time Kyrgyzstan will host the biannual event, at least for a while. Turkey's decision to host the 2020 Nomad Games was confirmed on September 1, after talks between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
15/15 This year marks the last time Kyrgyzstan will host the biannual event, at least for a while. Turkey's decision to host the 2020 Nomad Games was confirmed on September 1, after talks between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Previous slide
Next slide

The World Nomad Games were initiated by Kyrgyzstan and held for the first time in the Central Asian nation in 2014.

The second and third World Nomad Games were also held in Kyrgyzstan's picturesque northern region of Issyk-Kul in 2016 and 2018.

The nomad games include horse racing, archery, mounted archery, falconry, and different types of wrestling, including wrestling from horseback.

The games have gained in popularity, prompting teams representing Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Russia, and even the United States to regularly attend the event.

The last World Nomad Games in 2018 hosted athletes from 66 countries, including several European nations, such as Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

This year, for the first time, the games were scheduled to be held outside of Kyrgyzstan.

With reporting by Anadolu, TRT Haber, and Yeni Safak
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service

    RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service is an award-winning, multimedia source of independent news and informed debate, covering major stories and underreported topics, including women, minority rights, high-level corruption, and religious radicalism.

This item is part of

Related

​
XS
SM
MD
LG