Kazakhstanis Aim for Gold in Ovari at 5th World Nomad Games
Today is August 23, 2024, Astana, Kazakhstan. There are only a few days left until the 5th World Nomad Games, which will be held in Astana. These games promise to be a significant event, uniting the traditions and cultures of different peoples. Along with the national game of togyzkumalak, Kazakhstani athletes will also compete in the Turkish intellectual game of mangala and the game of Ovari, popular in West African countries.
The head coach of the national togyzkumalak team, Ainur Zhakapbayeva, expressed confidence that Kazakhstani athletes are capable of winning a gold medal in Ovari. “Despite the fact that the game of Ovari has not yet become widespread in Kazakhstan, our athletes have already achieved significant success in the international arena. At the London Olympiad of Mind Sports in 2006 and at the Cannes Film Festival, our athletes showed themselves at a high level.
In 2018, at the III World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan, the Kazakhstan team won a bright victory in Ovari, winning two gold medals. Assel Daliyeva and Diana Kenina became winners in the team event, and Assel Daliyeva took gold in the individual event among women,” said Ainur Absadykovna.
In preparation for participation in the V World Nomad Games in March 2024, the first Kazakhstan championship in Ovari among men and women was held in the city of Kyzylorda. 27 athletes took part in the championship, and based on its results, participants were determined who will represent the country at the Games. The team includes Honored Master of Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan in togyzkumalak Serik Aktayev, Master of Sports of International Class Yernur Mereshev, Honored Master of Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Assel Daliyeva and Master of Sports of International Class Ansagan Kozhanasip.
Head coach Ainur Absadykovna believes that the main rivals of Kazakhstani athletes in Ovari are teams from African countries, Antigua and Barbuda, and the Kyrgyz Republic. To prepare for the tournament, the Kazakhstani team uses the playok.com platform, where athletes conduct training online.
Ovari is an intellectual game, originally from West Africa, played by two people. The game board consists of 12 small pits (six on each side), and two large pits for storing stones. Each player strives to collect as many stones as possible in their storage, and the one who collects more stones becomes the winner.
The press service of the Center for National and Equestrian Sports is confident that Kazakhstani athletes will be able to worthily represent the country and compete for gold medals at the upcoming Nomad Games.