Minister of Tourism and Sports Ermek Marzhikpayev met with a delegation from the United States, which included the famous American cowboy-rodeoist Casey Field and captain of the US kokpar team Ladd Howell.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of equestrian sports, the popularization of kokpar and American rodeo in the two countries, as well as the upcoming 5th World Nomad Games, which will be held in our country this year.

Representatives of the American delegation expressed their readiness to take part in kokpar competitions. The US National Kokpar Team, led by captain Ladd Howell, competed in the 2018 and 2022 World Nomad Games.

“Kokpar is one of the oldest nomadic games. It has been played for many hundreds of years. Of course, this is a very entertaining game. In Kazakhstan there is the Kokpar Federation; competitions are held annually in many cities and villages of the country. At the last World Nomad Games, Kazakhstani Kokpar athletes won gold, so we have high hopes for our athletes. I would like to note that we have heard a lot about your team as one of the leading ones in this sport. It is gratifying that you actively participate in the equestrian sports of the nomadic peoples of Central Asia and are involved in their popularization in the United States. We believe that your team’s performance at kokpar will be one of the most memorable,” said Ermek Marzhikpayev.

During the meeting, the Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan invited guests from the United States to take part in the ceremony of Launching the countdown board of the 5th World Nomad Games Astana 2024. In turn, representatives of the delegation proposed to include American rodeo in the program of demonstration performances within the framework of the 5th World Nomad Games.

gov.kz

transleted by Qazalem