South Africa sent a team of 14 people to the first BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games, held in Ahmedabad, India, on Monday.
The South African team showed two local games, Kgati and Iintonga, according to Livemint. They were shown alongside traditional games from nine other countries.
The one-day event brought together 10 nations and close to 160 participants, Livemint reported. Each country showed traditional sports and games from its own culture.
“Yoga is one of the activities in South Africa that people use to detox, relieve stress and improve movement and flexibility. We embrace it, and we love it,” Philasande Macwili, South Africa’s Chef de Mission, told SAI Media.
“It demands a lot from your body. Still, those South Africans who enjoy it practise it every day,” Macwili added.
Host nation India had the largest group at the games, with 50 participants. China sent 30 people and Iran sent 22. South Africa had the fourth biggest team with 14.
The games took place at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. A crowd of about 3,000 people watched the displays, according to the report.
India showed mallakhamb, yogasana and kalaripayattu. The crowd cheered loudly during the fast mallakhamb display by India’s young athletes, which came after a rhythmic yogasana show.
Other countries brought their own sports. China showed the Lion Dance, Wushu and Health Qigong. Brazil showed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira.
Kazakhstan brought Asyk Atu, Togyzkumalak and Qazaq Kuresi. Iran showed Zoorkhaneh, Haft Sang and Ghanieh. Russia showed Sambo and Gorodki, while Belarus also showed Gorodki.
Bolivia brought Lucha de Cholitas and Tinku. The United Arab Emirates showed Altabbah.
Yogasana was a common interest among the visiting teams, the report said. China’s Chef de Mission, Yi Liu, said the Chinese team learned a lot about yoga during the visit.
“Even yesterday during practice, we saw young children practising the amazing movements. We want to learn so much more about it,” Liu told SAI Media.
Liu also praised the welcome the teams received. Liu said a dance group met the Chinese team at the airport at midnight.
Zlata Yakovleva, head of the Russian team, thanked the hosts. She said her favourite part was the friendship among the BRICS countries.
Away from the main stage, a Chinese wushu athlete gave tips to young Indian wushu athletes from a national training centre, according to Livemint.
Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. In June, the city hosted the first world yogasana championships, where 79 nations and 522 athletes took part.
India won 114 medals at those championships, and 102 of them were gold. A total of 31 nations won at least one medal, and 10 countries won at least one gold.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Livemint. Image: Livemint. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.