Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday, 12 October 2026, proposed the creation of a voluntary BRICS Repository of Traditional and Indigenous Sports at the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026 in Ahmedabad. Addressing delegates at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura, Mandaviya called for structured cooperation among BRICS member nations to document, exchange and periodically demonstrate their indigenous sporting heritage.

Three Pillars of Cooperation

Mandaviya outlined three practical areas of proposed cooperation between BRICS nations. The first is the creation of a voluntary repository documenting traditional sports — including their history, cultural significance, rules, equipment and field-of-play requirements. The second is encouraging exchanges among practitioners, coaches, researchers, educational institutions and cultural experts across member countries. The third is periodic demonstration of traditional and indigenous sports at future BRICS sporting events.

'BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Games provide a platform to showcase not only how a sport is played, but also the history, values and cultural context that make each tradition unique,' Mandaviya said at the inaugural address.

India's Sporting Ecosystem and Khelo India Push

The minister outlined India's broader investment in sport, citing a commitment of nearly 3.76 billion US dollars under the Khelo India initiative. He described a '360-degree approach' encompassing grassroots participation, talent identification, coaching, sports science, infrastructure development, athlete welfare and international exposure. 'India is placing sport at the centre of nation-building,' Mandaviya said, adding that the country is 'transforming its sporting ecosystem by creating opportunities from the playground to the podium.'

He also highlighted the Fit India Movement and its 'Sundays on Cycle' campaign, which has recorded more than 5 million participants cycling across more than 3 lakh locations every Sunday. 94 editions of the campaign have been conducted across India so far.

Sports on Display from 10 BRICS Nations

The day-long event drew athletes, practitioners, officials and delegations from 10 BRICS nations. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi was also present at the inauguration. India presented Mallakhamb, Yogasana and Kalaripayattu, while China showcased Wushu, Lion Dance and Health Qigong. Brazil featured Capoeira, an indigenous blowpipe demonstration and a log race, alongside Brazilian Para-Jiu-jitsu.

Other nations brought equally distinct traditions: Gorodki from Belarus and Russia; Lucha de Cholitas and several traditional games from Bolivia; Zoorkhaneh, Haft Sang and Ghanieh from Iran; Qazaq Kuresi, Asyk Atu and Togyzkumalak from Kazakhstan; Kgati and Iintonga from South Africa; and Al Tabbah from the United Arab Emirates.

Cultural Significance and What Comes Next

Beyond competition, the event served as a knowledge exchange, with Mandaviya stressing that traditional games carry the 'history, values and cultural identities' of the communities that practise them. Cultural performances and audience-engagement activities accompanied the sporting demonstrations, and participating teams were felicitated at the conclusion of the programme.

The BRICS repository proposal, if taken forward, could become a formal agenda item at the next BRICS sports ministerial meeting, potentially setting a framework for preservation and cross-cultural exchange that outlasts any single event.