BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 to be held in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad will host the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 on October 12 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is organising the event with the Government of Gujarat under India's BRICS Chairship. Delegations from BRICS member and partner countries will showcase their traditional sporting heritage, promoting cultural exchange and people-to-people cooperation through sport.

BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026

Unlike conventional tournaments, the Games are designed as a non-competitive platform. The emphasis is on demonstrating, documenting and exchanging traditional practices, with room for practitioner interaction and knowledge-sharing. Medals and rankings are not the goal. The aim is to preserve and celebrate sporting traditions that rarely get global exposure. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate it, with Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Union Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse and Gujarat Sports Minister of State Jayram Gamit also expected to attend.

Read more about the event here.

Participating Countries and Sports to Watch

A diverse range of disciplines is expected. India will present Mallakhamb, Yogasana and Kalaripayattu, while China brings Wushu, Lion Dance and Health Qigong. Brazil will showcase Capoeira, Zarabatana and Corrida de Toras, and Russia and Belarus will feature Gorodki, with Sambo from Russia. Kazakhstan, Iran, Ethiopia, Bolivia, South Africa and the UAE will also present their own indigenous games. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines will explore ways to strengthen sports cooperation and promote traditional games within the BRICS framework, making the event a notable example of sports diplomacy.

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