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. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, will inaugurate the event, with participation from Shri Harsh Sanghavi (Deputy Chief Minister, Gujarat), Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse (Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports), and Dr. Jayram Gamit (Minister of State for Sports, Gujarat).
The Games will bring together delegations from BRICS Member and partner countries as a non-competitive platform focusing on demonstration, documentation, and exchange of traditional sporting practices. The event emphasizes cultural significance, practitioner interaction, and knowledge-sharing rather than competition.
Participating countries will showcase diverse traditional and indigenous sports: 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), Ethiopia (Ethiopian Wrestling/Tegel, Ethiopian Gena, Selus Gebeta/18-12/Bube/Shahe), India (Mallakhamb, Yogasana, Kalaripayattu), Iran (Zoorkhaneh, Haft Sang, Ghanieh), Kazakhstan (Asyk Atu, Togyzkumalak, Qazaq Kuresi), Russia (Gorodki, Sambo), South Africa (Kgati, Iintonga), and United Arab Emirates (Al Tabbah).
Bilateral meetings with visiting delegations are planned on the sidelines to explore opportunities for strengthening sports cooperation and promoting traditional games within the BRICS framework. The Games aim to celebrate sporting heritage while fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and stronger people-to-people ties among BRICS nations.