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DOI 10.14526/2070-4798-2019-14-1-132-140 The most popular national sports and games of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Erkebulan Islyamov1, Zinaida M. Kuznetsova2*
1Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan [email protected] 2Ulyanov State Pedagogical University, Ulyanovsk, Russia ORCID: 0000-0002-5558-474X, [email protected]*
Abstract: Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the only organization which deals with the development of traditional sports, organizing of republican, international competitions in ethnosport games. The development of national games in the Republic of Kazakhstan started back in 1991. Since the independence of the country, the government always supports when it comes to national sports games. Methods. Scientific and scientific-methodical literature analysis and systematization, progressive pedagogical experience summarizing, methods of mathematical statistics. Results. The Association includes over 15 federations of national sports games. Since 1996, the local athletes have been participated in various world national games, festivals and taken a significant number of medal places. Since 2013, international competitions in national sports have been conducted at the initiative of the Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. "Samruk-Kazyna" National Welfare Fund" Joint Stock Company and "Samruk-Kazyna Trust" Development Fund of Social Projects render sponsorship on a regular basis at holding national sports games. In 2018, Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan membered to the World Ethnosport Confederation (Turkey). Conclusion. There are numerous types of national sports games played in Kazakhstan. Below, it is provided some short information about certain games common to the Turkic nations who live in the Central and Western Asia. For the last few years, Kazakhstan has organized a World Championship, Championships of Asia as well as several international tournaments and festivals for the following sports. Such games as Kokpar, Audaryspak, Tenge ilu, Zhamby atu, Falconry, Baiga, Asyk atu, Togyzkumalak and their rules are presented in the article. Key words: ethnosport games, traditional sports, winner, championship, tournaments.
For citation: Erkebulan Islyamov, Zinaida M. Kuznetsova. The most popular national sports and games of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Russian Journal of Physical Education and Sport. 2019; 14(1): 114-121. DOI 10.14526/2070-4798-2019-14-1-132-140
Introduction
The Republic of Kazakhstan is a country located in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It has access to Azerbaijan and Iran through the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea through Volga and Volga-Don Canal.
Kazakhstan borders with five countries. In the north and west, it borders with Russia, which is considered the longest land border in the world, comprising 6,467 km. In the south, Kazakhstan borders with Turkmenistan - 380 km, Uzbekistan -2,300 km and Kyrgyzstan - 980 km, and in the east with China - 1,460 km. The total length of its land border reaches up to 13, 392.6 km.
December 16, 1991, is the day when the
Republic of Kazakhstan announced its sovereignty and was recognized as an independent country by the world community. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The capital of Kazakhstan is Astana city. The state language is Kazakh.
According to economic indicators, the national economy is considered as developing. The main economic direction is the primary production in the field of fuel energy and agriculture. Currency is tenge.
The population contains 18,157,078 people, 64th place in the world. Regarding the territory, it holds the 9th place (2,724,900 sq.km.).
Association of National Sports of the
Republic of Kazakhstan is the only organization which deals with the development of traditional sports, organizing of republican, international competitions in ethnosport games. The development of national games in the Republic of Kazakhstan started back in 1991. Since the independence of the country, the government always supports when it comes to national sports games.
The Association includes over 15 federations of national sports games. Since 1996, the local athletes have been participated in various world national games, festivals and taken a significant number of medal places.
Since 2013, international competitions in national sports have been conducted at the initiative of the Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. "Samruk-Kazyna" National Welfare Fund" Joint Stock Company and "Samruk-Kazyna Trust" Development Fund of Social Projects render sponsorship on a regular basis at holding national sports games.
In 2018, Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan membered to the World Ethnosport Confederation (Turkey).
There are numerous types of national sports
games played in Kazakhstan. Below, it is provided some short information about certain games common to the Turkic nations who live in the Central and Western Asia. For the last few years, Kazakhstan has organized a World Championship, Championships of Asia as well as several international tournaments and festivals for the following sports.
Kokpar is one of the horseback games of the Turkic people. In Asia, they call it "kokpar", "kok-boruu", "ulak-tartysh", "ulak-kupkari", "buzkashi". Each nation has its own rules of kokpar.
In ancient times traditional game kokpar was formed due to need for protection from enemies, i.e. in peacetime in terms of kokpar people improved men's military skills. For example, during the war a man trained to play kokpar could save his wounded fellow picking him up at high speed. All horseracing games of the Asian people are aimed at mastering courage, agility and speed of young men.
The modern international rules of kokpar require that a team has to consist of 12 players. 4 players from each team can play at a time. During the game, depending on the need of the team, players in reserve could substitute the active participants.
Currently, kokpar is played on a specially equipped, 220 m long and 70 m wide field. Two teams try to make more salyms to their circle. The distance between the circles is 180m.
The game has two half-times which last for 20 minutes each. There is a 10-minute break between half-times. The team with a greater number of salyms wins the game.
For the first time, the team kokpar was demonstrated at an international level in 1996, at
the world festival of national games, which took place in Kecskemet, Hungary.
In 2012 teams from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey had an amicable meeting at the World Kokpar Festival in Denizli, Turkey.
In 2014 teams from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Mongolia and China participated in the amicable international meeting on kokpar in Ili-Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of the People's Republic of China.
Kokpar teams among adults, youth and teenagers were formed in Astana, Almaty and 14 regions of Kazakhstan. Republican kokpar championships and tournaments are conducted according to the annual calendar plan approved by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2018 Kokpar Championship of the Republic of Kazakhstan among adults was held for the 18th time, among youth for the 14th time and teenagers for the 7th time.
International kokpar competitions:
I Open Asian Championship - 2013 (Astana, Kazakhstan). Member countries - Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.
Results:
I place - Kazakhstan, II place - Kyrgyzstan, III place - Tajikistan.
I World Championship - 2017 (Astana, Kazakhstan). Member countries - Kazakhstan, Turkey, USA, Hungary, Russia, China, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.
Results:
I place - Kazakhstan, II place - Kyrgyzstan, III place - Tajikistan.
X International tournament - 2017 (Shymkent, Kazakhstan). Member countries -Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, People's Republic of China.
Results:
I place - Kazakhstan, II place - Kazakhstan, III place - People's Republic of China.
Audaryspak is the game of the Asian people. Uzbek, Tajiks, Kirghiz people call it "er alysh", "er enish". Two horsemen try to low down each other. Audaryspak is a national sport which requires high endurance, strength, agility and courage. In
traditional audaryspak players compete in duel play regardless their weight category.
Currently there are special rules of audaryspak. Athletes are divided into weight categories of 60, 70, 80, 90, +90 kg. One team shall consist of 5 participants. The aim of inclusion of the weight category is to create equal conditions for all participants.
At duel play players shall wear red and blue belts. Area of the circle is 15 m. Duel time - 5 min. In case of draw score players are given additional time. If players get no points during additional time, a light-weighed participant is a winner.
Audaryspak teams among adults, youth and teenagers were formed in Astana, Almaty and 14 regions of Kazakhstan. Republican audaryspak championships and tournaments are conducted according to the annual calendar plan approved by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2018 Audaryspak Championship of the Republic of Kazakhstan among adults was held for the 18th time, among youth for the 9th time and teenagers for the 7th time.
International audaryspak competitions:
I Open Asian Championship - 2014 (Astana, Kazakhstan). Member countries - Kazakhstan, Turkey, Hungary, Russia, China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Afganistan.
Results:
I place - a team of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
II Open Asian Championship - 2016 (Ili-Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of the People's Republic of China). Member countries - Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.
Results:
I place - a team of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
I International Tournament - 2017 (Astana, Kazakhstan). Member countries - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Russia, Mongolia, China, Hungary, Afghanistan.
Results:
I place - a team of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
III Open Asian Championship - 2018 (Astana, Kazakhstan). Member countries -Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, China, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.
Results:
I place - a team of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
There are great athletes in Astana, Almaty and 14 regions of Kazakhstan who play tenge ilu. Republican tenge ilu championships and tournaments are conducted according to the annual calendar plan approved by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2018 Tenge Ilu Championship of the Republic of Kazakhstan among adults was held for the 18th time, among youth for the 11th time and teenagers for the 7th time.
International tenge ilu competitions:
I Open Asian Championship - 2015 (Astana, Kazakhstan). Member countries - Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, China, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.
Results:
I place - a team of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
II Open Asian Championship - 2018 (Astana, Kazakhstan). Member countries - Kazakhstan,
A national game tenge ilu has a centuries-old history. In ancient times people played tenge ilu to develop strength, mastership and courage of warriors. It is a horseback sport game common to the Turkic people. A horseman shall pick up coins in the bag and throw them. A participant who picked more coins is a winner.
Currently tenge ilu is one the most beautiful and fascinating national sport games oriented at the development of mastership and speed, love to horses and the history. In 2007 special rules of tenge ilu were composed. First tenge ilu competitions among adults were held at the Championship of Kazakhstan.
Turkey, Russia, China, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.
Results:
I place - a team of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Zhamby atu is an ancient game of the Turkic people which tests shooting skills and agility of young men. There were several types of zhamby atu. The most famous was tai-tuyak zhamby atu (shooting at an ingot as large as colt hoof). Zhamby atu competitions are conducted on even field with the area of 300m. An ingot is placed on post at height of 3-4 meters at the distance of 100 m from start.
Players will shoot at speed. There were other types of zhamby atu: aikabak, fire a gun or shooting at several targets placed in line.
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Modern rules provide various methods of shooting at target. Athletes stand in line and quickly shoot at target at the distance of 10 m and height of 1.5m, within 10 s they should hit a target as many times as possible. A participant with more points is a winner.
Second method provides for that athletes according to the order set after a drawing procedure following a judge's order will ride on special path. Path length is 150 m approx. They shoot at three targets at the distance of 10 m, height - 1.5 m, distance between targets is 30-35m. Athletes get points due to their shooting skills and riding speed. Third method - shooting at three stable targets at the distance of 7, 10, 12 m, height - 3 m, distance between targets - 30-35m. The number of attempts is determined before competitions and all participants have equal opportunities.
There are athletes in Astana, Almaty and 14 regions of Kazakhstan who play zhamby atu. Republican zhamby atu championships and tournaments are conducted according to the annual calendar plan approved by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2018 Zhamby Atu Championship of the Republic of Kazakhstan among adults was held for the 4th time, among youth for the 4th time and teenagers for the 4th time.
International zhamby atu competitions:
"Altyn Zhebe" I International Tournament
- 2017 (Astana, Kazakhstan). Member countries
- Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, China, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Finland, Romania, Poland, Malaysia, Hungary.
Results:
I place - Romania, II place - Kazakhstan, III place - Kazakhstan, IV place - Hungary, V place
- Turkey.
"Altyn Zhebe" II International Tournament
- as held on August 29, 2018 (Astana, Kazakhstan).
Falconry. Asian people treat a golden eagle as a symbol of courage, strength, freedom and strong spirit. The image of the golden eagle on the flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan will be the symbol of liberty, independence, distinction, and courage. Kazakh people always treated a golden eagle as a smart and saint bird.
Falconry is the art common to Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Mongolian people. According to historic data, it's been 3,000 years since humans manned golden eagles and had been using it in hunting. Marco Polo, an Italian wandered, recorded that he saw 500 golden eagles and other hunting birds in Asia.
The Kazakh people are using eagles, hawks, falcons, white hawks and sparrow hawks. There were many famous hawkers in ancient time.
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"Kyran-Burkit" Federation was founded in 2004 as a part of the Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The number of hawkers increases annually.
Falconry competitions are held to test the mastership of calling eagles, hawks, and falcons to hand from long distance and bait (moulage) hunting. Winners are determined after hunting to real fox and rabbit and chasing pigeons. Such competitions usually involve over forty hawkers.
Republican falconry championship and republican tournaments "Salburyn", "Sayat", "Kansonar", "Sonar" are held according to the annual calendar plan approved by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2018 republican falconry championship was held
for the 12th time.
In 2013 World Falconry Festival and I Asian Falconry Championship which involved athletes from several Asian countries were held in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Alaman baiga is one of the loveliest national games of the Asian people. Alaman baiga is a horse race to long distance. Horse race always has been a spectacular game at different celebrations.
In ancient times alaman baiga competitions were held to very long distances. According to ancient records, the distance for race reached 70-80 km. Alaman baiga competitions were conducted in one direction on off-the-road. They usually chose children at the age of 6-13 years for long distances. Currently horses, taking care of them and watching horse races have a huge interest. Nowadays the longest distance on horse race comprises 51 km. republican horse races to 51 km distance named "Altyn tulpar" were held for the fourth time in 2017. "Altyn tulpar" is the biggest republican tournament in long-distance horse race on spinning road. A distance for annual alaman baiga competitions is 25 km. Holding of horse races on holidays to 20, 16, 7 km has become a traditional event in all regions of the republic.
In the Republic of Kazakhstan horse races to
different distances were held involving athletes from several Asian countries. In 2017 international horse races for the Cup of President Nursultan Nazarbayev took place for the 18th time.
Baiga and alaman baiga are valuable national sports which educate endurance, courage, and inventiveness. There are all opportunities in Kazakhstan for comprehensive development of this type of sport. Special pedigreed horse raising plants work in the republic.
Asyk atu is an ancient national game. Many Turkic people are keen on this game. Every nation has its own specifications of the asyk atu. Turkmen, Tajik, Uzbek people call is "ashyk"; the Kyrgyz call it "ordo".
Asyk is a sheep knee bone. As the household activity of the Turkic people is related to the agriculture, national games are also connected with it. Many national games provide for the availability of natural staff.
Asyk atu is one of the ancient games. This game allows improving the nervous system and instilling accuracy, agility, and moderation in children.
There are great teams in Astana, Almaty and 14 regions of Kazakhstan who play asyk atu. Republican asyk atu championships and tournaments are conducted according to the annual calendar plan approved by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan according to the rules of asyk atu.
In 2018 Asyk Atu Championship of the Republic of Kazakhstan among adults was held for the 4th time, among youth for the 4th time and teenagers for the 4th time.
In 2018 in Astana, they held "Altyn saka" international tournament for the 10th time. This event involved teams from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Togyzkumalak is one of the most well-formed highly respectful sports. This sport is an ancient spiritual logical thinking art of the Turkic people equivalent to major cultural forms. According to research data the history of togyzkumalak covers over 4,000 years. In ancient times togyzkumalak was very popular.
Togyzkumalak involves two persons and requires a special play board. A play board includes 2 kazans, 18 pits and 162 balls. At the beginning each player is provided one kazan and 9 pits which includes 9 balls, in total each player has 81 balls. A player who makes first move is called a leading player and a player making responsive move is a supportive. Sometimes they are named as "white side" and "black side", accordingly.
Individual championship of the Republic of Kazakhstan among men and women has been conducted since 1991. International competition for the prize of President of RK Nursultan Nazarbayev has been existing since 1997. These competitions involve athletes from Mongolia, Russian Federation, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. In 1999 three-fold
winners of Championship of RK for the first time were awarded the title "International Level Master of Sport".
In 2006 togyzkumalak for the first time was included in the program of The Mind Sports Olympiad in London and in 2008 and 2009 to the program of the World Mind Sports Olympiad in Czech. In 2008 International Togyzkumalak Federation was founded; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Russian Federation and China became members of this Federation.
I Championship of Asia in Togyzkumalak was arranged in Shymkent of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2009. In 2010 I World Togyzkumalak Championship was held for the first time in Astana. 43 athletes from 19 countries, including 25 men, 18 women, participated in the World Championship. In 2012 II World Togyzkumalak Championship took place in Pardubice (Czech).
47 athletes from 10 countries participated at II World Championship (Germany, USA, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, Czech, and Kazakhstan). III World Championship was held in 2015 in Almaty. In 2017 IV World Togyzkumalak Championship was held in Astana.
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Author's information:
Islyamov Erkebulan - Manager, Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, Republic Ave., House 34a, e-mail: [email protected]
Zinaida M. Kuznetsova * - Doctor of Pedagogics, Professor, Ulyanov State Pedagogical University, Ulyanovsk, Russia, the 100 Anniversary of V.I. Lenin's Birth Square, House 4, 432700,, e-mail: [email protected]*
