Mhayibeni Gifty Jami has become the first Naga to represent India in the Intellectual Strategy Games category at the VI World Nomad Games, held in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 6.
Competing in Toguz Korgool, Jami faced players from Turkey, Morocco, Mongolia, the USA, Sweden, Malaysia, Cabo Verde and Burundi. She finished 27th in the individual standings and contributed to Team India’s 17th-place finish, where it was tied with Korea. The competition featured 133 athletes, including 67 men and 66 women, from 48 countries.
The Intellectual Strategy Games category featured traditional board games such as Toguz Korgool, Mangala and Oware. The events tested strategic thinking, concentration, calculation, patience, precision and decision-making.
Jami’s participation marked a milestone for Nagaland as she became the first Naga athlete to represent India in the Intellectual Strategy Games at the World Nomad Games. Her performance also placed her among Indian athletes competing on an international platform in traditional strategy games.