Ahmedabad Hosts BRICS Traditional Sports Showcase With No Medals at Stake

The BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games opened in Ahmedabad on Monday, 12 October. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated them at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi attended. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Gujarat government organised the event as part of India’s BRICS chairship this year.

The BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games opened in Ahmedabad on 12 October 2026.

Ten Countries Participate in BRICS Traditional Sports Showcase

Ten countries took part: Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The programme was non-competitive. Teams showed their games and explained them, and were felicitated at the end. There were no medals, rankings or results.

Traditional and indigenous sports were demonstrated by participating countries at the Ahmedabad showcase.

Traditional and Indigenous Sports Presented by Participating Nations

India showed Mallakhamb, Yogasana and Kalaripayattu. Bolivia brought Lucha de Cholitas, its women’s wrestling, along with Tinku, Rayuela, Trompo, Cachinas and sack races. Brazil presented Zarabatana, an indigenous blowpipe activity, plus log racing, para jiu-jitsu and capoeira. China showed wushu, lion dance and health qigong. Belarus and Russia both presented gorodki, and Russia added sambo. Iran showed Zoorkhaneh, Haft Sang and Ghanieh. Kazakhstan brought Asyk Atu, Togyzkumalak and Qazaq Kuresi. South Africa showed Kgati and Iintonga, and the UAE showed Al Tabbah.

Mandaviya Proposes Cultural Exchanges and Traditional Sports Archive

Mandaviya made three proposals to the delegations. The first is a voluntary repository recording the history, cultural meaning, rules and equipment of traditional sports. The second is exchanges between coaches, researchers and institutions. The third is regular demonstrations of traditional sports at future BRICS sporting events. Bilateral meetings with the visiting delegations were planned on the sidelines.

The proposals are India’s. No agreement with the other countries has been announced.

Delegations gathered for the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games in Ahmedabad.