RIYADH: Events from the World Nomad Games — ranging from archery to wrestling — will be staged in Saudi Arabia as part of the King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival.
The events, which showcase the eye-catching skills of Central Asia’s hunters, horsemen and fighters, will be featured over 10 days from March 9-19 as the mountainous Asian region shares its colorful culture and sporting heritage with the Kingdom.
A relative newcomer on the international sports scene, the first Nomad Games were held in 2014 in Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan, with 580 athletes from 19 countries competing in a variety of sports, plus an additional 1,200 people taking part in a cultural program.
The games are dedicated to preserving traditional nomadic culture, and have since expanded to become Central Asia’s biggest sporting event, including 3,000 athletes from more than 70 countries.
Competition takes place every two years, with the next event scheduled for 2020 as the games move from Kyrgyzstan to Turkey.
Described as “the Olympics for nomads,” the games’ 16 events demand strength, intelligence and agility, and include kok boru, a form of polo, with a history stretching back 6,000 years.
Bandar Al-Rashid, head of media and communications at the King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival, said the Nomad Games will be included in a cultural village at the event.
“The World Nomad Games will take part in the cultural event of the festival with participants from over 75 countries and events such as horseback riding, archery, wrestling and more,” he said.
Nomad Games’ skills on show at camel festival in Saudi Arabia
Nomad Games’ skills on show at camel festival in Saudi Arabia
- The games are dedicated to preserving traditional nomadic culture, and have since expanded to become Central Asia’s biggest sporting event
- A relative newcomer on the international sports scene, the first Nomad Games were held in 2014 in Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan
Klija Festival in Buraidah empowers small businesses
- Half a million attend 15-day celebration of heritage; event creates 1,500 seasonal jobs
RIYADH: The 17th Klija Festival in Buraidah drew more than half a million visitors during its 15-day run, celebrating the region’s heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.
Organized by the Qassim Chamber of Commerce, the event highlighted small businesses, providing a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase local products.
More than 340 sales outlets, marketing corners and points of sale welcomed attendees, while the festival provided 1,500 seasonal job opportunities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The small business pavilions featured families in the cottage industry, artisans and startups presenting traditional foods, and handicrafts and heritage items that reflect the region’s identity.
Participants said that the festival was a key marketing platform, boosting sales, increasing brand awareness, facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering connections with organizations supporting SMEs.
Mohammed Al-Hanaya, Qassim Chamber secretary-general and festival supervisor, said that the event brought together families, artisans, SMEs, companies and institutions, stimulating commercial activity, opening direct marketing channels and enhancing economic returns.
He added that the festival provided seasonal jobs for more than 1,500 young men and women across operations, marketing and services, supporting the labor market, empowering national talent, and connecting youth to the events and creative economy.
Klija, a traditional cookie made from wheat flour, dates or sugar, date syrup and natural ingredients such as cardamom and lemon, is a rich source of energy, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and natural proteins.
A cultural icon rooted in Qassim’s traditions, the cookie has gained international exposure through the festival, expanding the availability of packaged products.
Starting next year, the festival will be renamed the International Klija Festival, a rebranding approved by Qassim Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, who described it as a “successful model for turning local initiatives into global economic engines.”
This year’s festival, held at the King Khalid Cultural Center, included international participants from Egypt, Turkiye and Morocco, marking its evolution into a cross-cultural platform.
