Whilst political events in Kyrgyzstan have understandably being getting a fair amount of coverage recently, there is still life away from politics, especially where entertainment is concerned. Trawling around the 24.kg site the other day, I came upon this intriguing headline: “Kyrgyzstan to host horseball games”.

Now I don’t know about you, but I’d never heard of horse ball before. Yet the words Kyrygzstan and horse have a natural affinity with each other, so it seemed quite logical in a way. But firstly what exactly is horseball?

According to the International Horseball Federation,

Horseball is a fast and exciting team sport played on horseback. Initiated in France during the 1970s, Horseball has quickly spread in Europe, becoming more and more popular. Since 1992 eight nations have competed for the annual European Horseball Championship. Horseball is now starting to be played all around the world.

Including in Kyrgyzstan, where this novel sport is making its debut at the Third At-Chabysh (Horse Games), which is being held from October 31 - November 4 at Ak Tuz, near Issyk Kul.

Delving a bit deeper into how horseball is played, the similarities with the traditional Kyrgyz game of kok boru, on which it is at least partially based, become obvious. For example, the rules of horseball permit the seizing of the ball from opponents, if the ball is dropped it must be picked up without dismounting, and the game is started by a player picking the ball up off the ground at a gallop.

Substitute the six-handled ball for a slightly less wieldy goat carcass, and the fundamentals are all there.

In many ways, to paraphrase British footballing commentators, horseball’s coming home. Kyrgyz horsemanship is legendary, and this updated French version of the national game is a welcome addition to the Horse Games, not least because of its popularity other countries and its potential to spark interest in Kyrgyzstan and its culture.

All photos except of the horseball rider taken by the author at the Osh Horse Games, May 9, 2006.