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Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University continues its efforts to keep traditional sports alive—an important element of the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic World—while analyzing them scientifically and developing them at an international level.

Within this scope, the "Kök-Börü Game Referee Training Seminar" was held prior to the 6th World Nomad Games through collaboration between the KTMU Continuing Education Center, the National Kök-Börü Federation, and the International Kök-Börü Federation. The first day of the 86-hour training program, scheduled from August 29 to September 5, 2026, took place at KTMU.

Referees from Different Countries Gathered at KTMU

Aiming to update the professional knowledge and skills of referees before the 6th World Nomad Games, the program was attended by experienced referees from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Afghanistan, and Altai.

The training sessions aim to increase knowledge and experience sharing among referees from different countries, reinforce common competition standards, and ensure that Kök-Börü matches at the 6th World Nomad Games are managed fairly, transparently, and in accordance with international rules. A total of 24 referees are participating in the program, led by Erjigit Usarov, Head Referee of the Kyrgyz Republic Kök-Börü Federation and Chief Kök-Börü Referee for the 6th World Nomad Games.

Training Will Continue at KTMU and Cholpon-Ata

The 86-hour program organized by the KTMU Continuing Education Center will spend its first two days at Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University and the remaining five days in Cholpon-Ata. Covering theoretical and practical training, the seminar will conclude with an examination. Referees who successfully complete the program will receive certificates.

Throughout the seminar, topics will include refereeing practices, the historical and cultural roots of Kök-Börü, the activities of the Kök-Börü Federation since its founding, scientific and cultural works produced on Kök-Börü, and the future of traditional sports. Views and recommendations formulated based on the field experience of senior referees will also be shared with the relevant federations.

Rector Ceylan: “Carrying Our Cultural Heritage to the Future Is Our Social Responsibility”

KTMU Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan stated that efforts to preserve traditional sports and pass them on to future generations form an essential part of the university's social contribution mission. Emphasizing that universities bear the responsibility of connecting their scientific knowledge with society, Rector Ceylan remarked: "As Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, we consider it one of our fundamental duties to offer the knowledge and experience we generate—spanning education, research, culture, arts, sports, and social development—for the benefit of society. Keeping alive traditional sports like Kök-Börü and Tıyın Enmey, which hold an important place in the collective memory of the Turkic World, strengthening their institutional structures, and handing them down correctly to future generations are parts of this responsibility. We value ensuring that this heritage is not seen merely as a value left in the past, but survives as a living culture supported by scientific research, strengthened by education, and marching into the future internationally. Our university will continue to support initiatives that safeguard and advance our cultural heritage using its academic expertise and facilities."

Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan pointed out that KTMU possesses a robust infrastructure for sustaining and advancing traditional sports, adding: "The hippodrome within our university provides significant opportunities to support traditional sports through education, practice, and scientific research. With the Biennial University Traditional Games, we bring together youth from different universities around this deep-rooted heritage. Our goal is to keep our traditional games alive in an academic setting and pass them on to younger generations."

Cultural and Athletic Dimensions of Kökbörü Discussed

Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Ulanbek Alimov—a lecturer at the KTMU Faculty of Tourism who conducts research on traditional games—informed participants about the scope of the training program. Noting that this referee training program is taking place for the second time this year, Alimov highlighted that alongside technical rules, the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of Kök-Börü would also be addressed, stressing the importance of combining scientific research with field experience for the future of traditional sports.

Stating that traditional games enjoy strong social resonance across a wide geography, Alimov expressed that the knowledge and contributions of experienced referees are vital for reinforcing institutional structures, developing shared rules, and raising their status in the international sports arena.

KTMU Examines Traditional Games Scientifically

During the program, participants were also briefed on the academic and scientific research conducted by Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University in the field of traditional sports. It was emphasized that the university treats traditional sports not only as cultural preservation but also as a subject of interdisciplinary scientific research. In this context, the work of the Traditional Games Research Institute was presented.

A scientific study conducted at KTMU involving 60 Kök-Börü players and their horses was shared with participants. The study, which analyzes the interaction between humans, athletes, and horses using scientific data, was cited as an example of researching traditional sports through various discipline perspectives.

Preparations Continue for the 6th World Nomad Games

Erjigit Usarov, Head Referee of the Kyrgyz Republic Kök-Börü Federation and Chief Kök-Börü Referee for the 6th World Nomad Games, also provided information during the event. Usarov outlined the training schedule in Cholpon-Ata, practical exercises, and organizational details regarding referees arriving from different countries.

Tıyın Enmey Referees Also Met at KTMU

As part of the preparations for the 6th World Nomad Games, a referee seminar was also held at KTMU for another traditional sport, Tıyın Enmey. Held at the KTMU Tay Kazan, 16 referees attended the event. Chief Tıyın Enmey Referee Shaıyr Umotgulov noted that athletes from 10 countries are expected to compete in Tıyın Enmey matches at the 6th World Nomad Games.

KTMU Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan visited the Tıyın Enmey referee seminar to receive updates on the ongoing work.

Hosted by KTMU, these referee training programs aim to advance international standards for traditional sports prior to the 6th World Nomad Games, foster a common officiating culture among referees, and pass the rich sports heritage of the Turkic World down to future generations.