Ahmedabad: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad on October 12.
The event is being organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Gujarat government as part of India’s BRICS chairship.
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 Jayram Gamit are expected to attend the inauguration.
The Games will bring together delegations from BRICS member and partner countries to demonstrate traditional and indigenous sporting practices, promote cultural exchange and preserve sporting heritage. The event is designed as a non-competitive platform, with a focus on demonstrations, documentation, interaction among practitioners and the sharing of knowledge.
Participating countries are expected to showcase a diverse range of traditional sports and cultural practices. India’s traditional sporting disciplines will include Mallakhamb, Yogasana and Kalaripayattu.
Other demonstrations will include Wushu, lion dance and health Qigong from China; Capoeira, an indigenous blowpipe demonstration and log racing from Brazil; Ethiopian wrestling and traditional games from Ethiopia; and Asyk Atu, Togyzkumalak and Qazaq Kuresi from Kazakhstan.
Belarus and Russia will showcase Gorodki, while Russia will also demonstrate Sambo. Bolivia will present traditional activities including Lucha de Cholitas, Tinku and Rayuela. Iran, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates will also feature their respective traditional sports and cultural practices.
Bilateral meetings with visiting delegations are planned on the sidelines of the event to explore opportunities for stronger cooperation in sports and the promotion of traditional and indigenous games within the BRICS framework.
The event is expected to provide a platform for participating countries to celebrate their sporting heritage, foster mutual understanding and strengthen people-to-people ties through sport.
