‘Vibrant celebration of shared heritage’: PM Modi, SCO leaders participate in opening ceremony of World Nomad Games

BISHKEK (Kyrgyzstan): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation attended the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, which took place in Bishkek.

Sharing visuals from the event in a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “PM @narendramodi, along with other SCO leaders, participated in the official opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek.”

In his post he highlighted how the biennial event celebrates the rich sporting traditions, culture and heritage of nomadic civilisations, bringing together countries in a vibrant celebration of their shared culture.

PM @narendramodi, along with other SCO leaders, participated in the official opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek.

The biennial event celebrates the rich sporting traditions, culture and heritage of nomadic civilisations, bringing together countries in a… pic.twitter.com/kd5nO0SWDm

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 31, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games at Bishkek Arena and greeted the Indian contingent participating in the event.

The Indian contingent, comprising 87 members, including 73 athletes, 10 cultural representatives and four participants in the scientific programme, walked into the arena carrying the national flag. PM Modi waved to the contingent as it passed by.

The 6th World Nomad Games are being held from August 31 to September 6 in Kyrgyzstan, bringing together athletes and participants from across the world to showcase traditional sports, culture and the heritage of nomadic civilisations.

The main events of the Games will be organised across venues in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrchyn and other locations around 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 first edition was held in Kyrgyzstan in 2014, with subsequent editions taking place in 2016 and 2018 in Kyrgyzstan, 2022 in Iznik, Turkey, and 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The 2026 edition features a wide-ranging sports programme comprising 43 disciplines, including traditional wrestling forms such as Goresh, Kurash and Mongol Bokh, along with Kok Boru, Kekpar, equestrian events, Toguz Kargool, Mangala, Oware, Chuko, Ordo, tug of war and strongman competitions. (ANI)