Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, bringing together international delegations to celebrate traditional sports and cultural heritage.

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The event was organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Gujarat government. It aims to highlight the importance of indigenous sporting traditions while encouraging cultural exchange and cooperation among BRICS member and partner countries.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Mandaviya said traditional and indigenous sports play an important role in preserving cultural identity and creating opportunities for international collaboration. He highlighted how sporting traditions can connect communities and help countries understand one another’s cultural heritage.

The minister also emphasised the contribution of initiatives such as Khelo India in developing a sustainable sports ecosystem. He noted that efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership are helping promote sports participation and nurture talent from grassroots levels to international platforms.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi proposed five initiatives aimed at preserving indigenous sports across BRICS nations, particularly with Ahmedabad preparing to host upcoming international sporting events.

One of the key proposals was the creation of a joint multilingual digital archive to document traditional games and make their history accessible to wider audiences. Another proposal focused on incorporating traditional sports into academic curricula to introduce younger generations to their cultural significance.

Unlike conventional tournaments, the demonstration games are designed as a non-competitive event. Delegations from participating countries are presenting different indigenous sports, offering opportunities to share traditions and learn from one another.

The event highlights growing efforts to protect traditional sporting practices, encourage international partnerships and pass cultural knowledge on to future generations.

By providing a platform for indigenous games, Ahmedabad’s BRICS event seeks to strengthen cultural connections and increase global awareness of traditional sports.