BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Games 2026: A Celebration of Cultural Heritage in Sports

The BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026, held in Ahmedabad, showcased the rich cultural heritage of participating nations through various indigenous sports. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized India's commitment to building a robust sporting ecosystem, proposing collaboration among BRICS countries to preserve traditional sports. The event featured demonstrations from ten nations, highlighting the importance of cultural diversity in sports. With initiatives like the Fit India Movement, India aims to promote fitness as a lifestyle. This gathering not only celebrated sports but also reinforced the bonds of friendship and cooperation among BRICS nations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 12, 2026, 21:54 IST

Overview of the BRICS Games

On Monday, the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026 took place at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This event gathered dignitaries, athletes, technical officials, and representatives from various countries to honor the rich sporting heritage and cultural diversity of BRICS nations, as stated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Inauguration by Union Minister

Union Minister of Youth Affairs, Mansukh Mandaviya, officially opened the games, emphasizing India's commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure for nation-building. He was joined by Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, during the inauguration.

India's Vision for Sports Development

In his address to representatives from the 10 BRICS countries, Mandaviya reiterated India's dedication to fostering a sporting culture. He stated, "India is placing sport at the center of nation-building. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, we are transforming our sporting ecosystem to create opportunities from grassroots to elite levels." He highlighted a comprehensive approach that includes talent identification, coaching, sports science, and athlete welfare, with an investment of approximately $3.76 billion through the Khelo India initiative.

Proposals for BRICS Sports Cooperation

Mandaviya proposed three key areas for collaboration among BRICS nations to promote traditional sports. He noted that the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Games serve as a platform to showcase the unique history and cultural significance of each sport.

1. Establish a Repository of Traditional Sports

The first proposal involves creating a voluntary BRICS Repository of Traditional and Indigenous Sports, which would document their history, cultural importance, rules, and equipment requirements.

2. Foster Exchanges Among Practitioners

Secondly, Mandaviya suggested encouraging exchanges among coaches, researchers, and cultural experts across BRICS countries to enhance collaboration.

3. Showcase Traditional Sports at Future Events

Lastly, he proposed the demonstration of traditional sports at upcoming BRICS sporting events to further promote these cultural practices.

Fit India Movement: Promoting Fitness

Mandaviya also discussed the Fit India Movement, which aims to integrate fitness into daily life. He highlighted the success of the 'Sundays on Cycle' campaign, which has attracted over 5 million participants across more than 300,000 locations in India, with 94 editions held so far.

Showcasing Indigenous Sports

The event featured demonstrations of various indigenous sports from the participating BRICS nations, including:

Belarus: Gorodki
Bolivia: Lucha de Cholitas, Tinku, Rayuela, Trompo, Cachinas, Carrera de Sacos
Brazil: Zarabatana, Corrida de Toras, Brazilian Para-Jiu-jitsu, Capoeira
China: Wushu, Lion Dance, Health Qigong
India: Mallakhamb, Yogasana, Kalaripayattu
Iran: Zoorkhaneh, Haft Sang, Ghanieh
Kazakhstan: Asyk Atu, Togyzkumalak, Qazaq Kuresi
Russia: Gorodki, Sambo
South Africa: Kgati, Iintonga
United Arab Emirates: Al Tabbah

The demonstrations were complemented by cultural presentations and activities that engaged the audience. The event concluded with the recognition of participating teams, reinforcing the significance of preserving traditional sports while fostering inclusivity and cooperation among BRICS nations.