Kazakhstan celebrates one of our people's main holidays - Nauryz- in an updated format this year. From 14 to 23 March, a decade of “Nauryznama” will be held annually in the country. Each day is dedicated to celebrating certain aspects of our people's traditions and cultural heritage. Thus, on 20 March, residents and guests of Astana and foreign diplomats who are members of the Diplomatic Business Club in the capital's equestrian sports and health complex "Argymak" celebrated the Day of National Sports.
      The Astana Akimat and the Association of National Sports organized the event with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
     Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Hungary, Korea, Latvia, Romania, representatives of the Embassies of Brazil, USA, Jordan, India, Turkey, Ukraine, Iraq, Sweden, Belarus, Bulgaria, World Bank and their family members were able to see the performance of athletes in traditional disciplines such as Dasturli Sadaq Atu (traditional archery), Tenge Ilu (raising coins at full gallop), Kyz Kuuu (chasing a girl), Audaryspak (the name of the game in which riders try to throw one another off the horse) and others.       As part of the National Sports Day celebrations, a friendly match between Astana and the USA teams was also held in Kokpar.
      In addition, on the same day, the organizers honoured sports veterans who have significantly contributed to developing and promoting national sports. The foreign diplomats could also familiarise themselves with the Fair of arts and crafts of local artisans.
      Foreign Ambassadors shared their impressions of the performances they had seen. In particular, the guests liked the unusual nature of the game "Kokpar". Thus, the Ambassador of Great Britain, Mrs Kathy Leach and the Ambassador of Romania, Mrs Madalina Lupu, noted the similarity of Kokpar with the traditional English game "Polo".