UNICEF BECAME AN OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE 5TH WORLD NOMAD GAMES
ASTANA, June 20, 2024 – Today, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Directorate for the preparation and holding of the 5th World Nomad Games and UNICEF Kazakhstan. This document marked the beginning of an important collaboration aimed at promoting inclusivity and children's rights in one of the most significant sporting events of the year. UNICEF Kazakhstan has become the official non-profit partner of the 5th World Nomad Games.
The ceremony was attended by the Head of the Directorate for the preparation and holding of the 5th World Nomad Games, Nayil Nurov, as well as the UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan, Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar. In his speech, Nayil Nurov emphasized that cooperation with UNICEF will help make these games not only spectacular but also safe and accessible for children, ensuring their rights and participation in significant events.
“Traditional national games have enormous educational potential; they have everything for the successful development of a child. They help expand children's understanding of their native culture and pass on the social experience of the people from generation to generation. We are very pleased to see UNICEF, the international UN Children's Fund, as our partners. This gives the 5th Games a special status and prioritizes the family values of our people,” said Head of the Directorate Nayil Nurov.
The head of the Directorate also spoke about benefits for children of preschool and school age. Thus, admission for children under six years of age is free. Children from 6 to 18 years old can attend the Nomad Games with a 50% discount. For example, the cost of a ticket to competitions in Tenge Ilu and Kusbegilik is 500 tenge. In this case, for schoolchildren, the ticket will cost 250 tenge.
Sports and physical activity are important in the life of every child. They promote the development of leadership skills, and socialization, and improve the health and well-being of children. Medals and victories provide recognition, but simple participation in sports competitions is more important for maintaining the mental health of children and adolescents.
UNICEF is pleased to support the World Nomad Games by promoting an inclusive and supportive environment for all children.
“The right to play is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year Kazakhstan celebrates the 30th anniversary of the ratification of the Convention and we are very pleased that the World Nomad Games, the largest international sporting event, has made this right a priority. Our partnership will reach out to all adults and encourage them to play and pay more attention to their children,” said Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar.
The memorandum includes a wide range of initiatives aimed at raising awareness of children's rights, ensuring inclusivity, and providing technical support in organizing games. In particular, UNICEF will actively participate in training volunteers, as well as conduct educational events and interactive master classes for children and their parents in the Ethno-aul. As part of the scientific program, UNICEF will share international standards and national research findings on healthy and balanced nutrition for children.
The World Nomad Games will be held from September 8 to 13, 2024 in Astana and will bring together approximately 2,500 participants from 89 countries in 21 competitive sports. This grand event will not only be a cultural and sporting celebration but also a platform for promoting key messages about children's rights and inclusion.
For more information, visit the website https://worldnomadgames.kz and follow the updates on the official pages of the WGC and UNICEF Kazakhstan on social networks.