New Delhi: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat, will organise the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad, on 12 October 2026, under India's BRICS Chairship.
Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, will inaugurate the event. The inauguration will be graced by the presence of Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister, Gujarat, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Jayram Gamit, Minister of State for Sports, Gujarat.
The Games will bring together delegations from BRICS Member and partner countries to showcase traditional and indigenous sporting practices and promote cultural exchange, heritage preservation and people-to-people cooperation through sport.
Designed as a non-competitive platform, the Games will focus on the demonstration, documentation, and exchange of traditional sporting practices, with emphasis placed on cultural significance, practitioner interaction, and knowledge-sharing.
Participating countries are expected to showcase a diverse range of traditional and indigenous sports and cultural practices:
- Belarus: Gorodki
- Bolivia: Lucha de Cholitas, Tinku, Rayuela, Trompo, Cachinas and Carrera de Sacos
- Brazil: Zarabatana (Indigenous Blowpipe), Corrida de Toras (Log Race), Brazilian Para-Jiu-jitsu and Capoeira
- China: Wushu, Lion Dance and Health Qigong
- Ethiopia: Ethiopian Wrestling (Tegel), Ethiopian Gena (Field Hockey) and Selus Gebeta/18-12/Bube/Shahe
- India: Mallakhamb, Yogasana, Kalaripayattu
- Iran: Zoorkhaneh, Haft Sang and Ghanieh
- Kazakhstan: Asyk Atu, Togyzkumalak and Qazaq Kuresi
- Russia: Gorodki and Sambo
- South Africa: Kgati and Iintonga
- United Arab Emirates: Al Tabbah
Bilateral meetings with visiting delegations are planned on the sidelines to explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in sports and promote traditional and indigenous games within the BRICS framework.
The Games are expected to serve as a unique platform for celebrating the rich sporting heritage of participating countries while fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and stronger people-to-people ties among BRICS nations.
