Youngest athletes shine at the 5th World Nomad Games in intellectual battles
At the 5th World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan, some of the youngest participants demonstrated not only their passion for traditional intellectual games like Mangala and Togyzkumalak but also their desire to spread these games among their peers back home. These young athletes are showing that age is no barrier to mastering complex strategic games, often compared to chess for the level of thought and planning required. Kazinform correspondent found out the details.
One of the standout competitors is 12-year-old Ömer Faruk Ağlamaz from Turkey, who has been playing Mangala for six years. Competing in international tournaments for the past year, this is Ömer’s first visit to Kazakhstan. When asked about how he started, he recalls: "I started in primary school, in second grade. I’d give myself a 3 out of 5 in terms of skill level—I'm at an intermediate level." Despite his modest self-assessment, Ömer's commitment to the game is clear. He not only plans to continue competing but also wants to popularize Mangala among his friends in Turkey: "Mangala is a game I want to teach everyone. It develops the brain, enhances problem-solving skills, and promotes strategic thinking."
Rana Alya Tütüncü, a 13-year-old also from Turkey, has been playing Mangala for seven years. Like Ömer, she gives herself an intermediate rating. "I started in primary school, and I really want everyone to know about this game," she says. Rana believes Mangala should be played more widely because it challenges young minds in a way that modern screen-based games don’t. "It helps improve mental memory and makes us more successful in school. That’s why I think it should be played more often," she explains, encouraging beginners not to give up even if the game seems difficult at first.
From Romania, 14-year-old Muscalu Ștefania is a Togyzkumalak and Mangala player. Though she has only been playing these games for a year, her enthusiasm is undeniable. Introduced to the games by her teacher, Ștefania appreciates how strategic and thought-provoking they are. "These games are really like chess—you have to think a lot, and they’re fun and interesting," she says. Her impression of Kazakhstan is equally positive: "The city is very beautiful and technologically advanced. I also enjoyed Almaty, but Astana feels more modern."
Another young competitor, 11-year-old Sofia Ecaterina Matei from Romania, echoed her teammates’ enthusiasm. Having played for just a year, she would recommend Mangala and Togyzkumalak to her friends as well, seeing them as both challenging and enjoyable.
Their teammate, 11-year-old Andrei Razvan, shares her sentiment. He too was introduced to the games by their teacher in Romania, and after one year of practice, he finds them incredibly engaging. "I won four games and lost four, but I think I did very well," Andrei says of his Togyzkumalak performance. He encourages his peers to try these games, especially for the cultural experience of competing in Kazakhstan. "It’s a great way to develop strategic thinking while having fun."
It’s important to note that in Romania, UNESCO is actively promoting intellectual games like Togyz Kumalak, with one of its key initiatives being the introduction of Togyz Kumalak lessons in schools. According to Andrei, 10 of his peers share his interest and actively participate in these activities.
His teacher, Balint Claudia-Crina, highlights the growing impact of the UNESCO project in Romania, noting that it now reaches more than 60,000 children across many schools. "Every month, the school hosts open classes for parents where they can participate in competitions and get to know this wonderful game more closely. This event becomes a real celebration, and it can be compared to the Nomad Games, where family and community come together around sports and culture," she shared.
These young athletes not only excel in their respective games but also serve as ambassadors for their countries, sharing the cultural significance of Mangala and Togyzkumalak while promoting the intellectual benefits of these traditional games. Their experiences in Kazakhstan have been positive, with many of them noting the country's beautiful landscapes, modern cities, and rich cultural heritage.
