More than 2,000 athletes are going to revive ancient warfare skills into sports disciplines such as horseback archery and falconry.

As the Paralympics wrap up in Paris, another global sporting event begins in Astana, Kazakhstan: the World Nomad Games.

It's a bi-annual initiative where athletes use the ancient warfare skills of historically nomadic peoples.

The 21 disciplines include horse wrestling, horseback archery, martial arts and falconry, as well as cultural and scientific games.

The World Nomad Games are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, aiming to develop and preserve ethno-sports and the ethno-cultural movement.

«The World Nomad Games are a unique possibility to show the world our country's rich historical and cultural heritage,» Kazakhstan's Culture and Information Minister Aida Balayeva told Euronews.

They also allow the country «to show the spirit of our nation, to show the soul of Kazakhstan's people,» she added.

This edition of the games is taking place between 8 and 13 September.

More than 2,000 athletes from around 89 countries are participating. Organisers say the list has grown way beyond those with a nomadic heritage.

«What's interesting is the geography of participating countries,» Kazakh Tourism chairman Kairat Sadvakassov told Euronews.

«From Australia to Canada, from South Africa to Great Britain,» he said. «States that have little nomadic tradition in the past... Meaning that these games are actually growing around the world.»

The first three editions were held in Kyrgyzstan while the last one took place in Turkey.

www.euronews.com