BRICS Traditional Games 2026 Held in Ahmedabad

The BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026 were held on Monday, 12 October 2026, at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The day-long event drew country delegations, athletes, practitioners, technical officials and partner institutions, and was meant to put the sporting heritage and cultural diversity of the BRICS grouping on display. Representatives of 10 BRICS nations attended.

Who opened it

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya declared the games open, with Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi present. The minister said India is putting sport at the centre of nation-building and is reshaping its sporting system through a 360-degree approach that takes in grassroots participation, talent identification, coaching, sports science, infrastructure, athlete welfare and international exposure. He said nearly 3.76 billion US dollars has been committed under the Khelo India initiative.

Three proposals for BRICS

Dr Mandaviya placed three ideas before the member countries. The first is a voluntary BRICS Repository of Traditional and Indigenous Sports that would document each sport's history, cultural meaning, rules, equipment and field-of-play requirements. The second is exchanges among practitioners, coaches, researchers, educational institutions and cultural experts across the grouping. The third is holding periodic demonstrations of traditional and indigenous sports at future BRICS sporting events.

Fit India figures

Speaking of the Fit India Movement, the minister said the 'Sundays on Cycle' campaign now draws more than 5 million people to cycle at more than 3 lakh locations every Sunday, and that 94 editions of the campaign have been held so far across the country.

Sports on show

Each of the ten delegations demonstrated its own traditions. India presented Mallakhamb, Yogasana and Kalaripayattu. Russia showed Gorodki and Sambo, while Belarus also brought Gorodki. China's team performed Wushu, the Lion Dance and Health Qigong. Kazakhstan demonstrated Asyk Atu, Togyzkumalak and Qazaq Kuresi, and Iran brought Zoorkhaneh, Haft Sang and Ghanieh. Bolivia showed the largest spread, including Lucha de Cholitas, Tinku, Rayuela, Trompo, Cachinas and Carrera de Sacos. Brazil's set covered Zarabatana, the indigenous blowpipe, Corrida de Toras or log race, Brazilian para-jiu-jitsu and Capoeira. South Africa demonstrated Kgati and Iintonga, and the United Arab Emirates presented Al Tabbah. Cultural presentations and audience activities ran alongside, and the participating teams were felicitated at the close.