The 15th Games of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the 11th Ethnic Traditional Sports Meet opened in Yining on Saturday, August 22, according to aksxw.com.
The event combines the region's main athletic competition with a showcase of traditional ethnic sports, bringing together participants from across the Tianshan Mountains, as reported by the outlet. The opening ceremony marked the formal start of the multi-sport gathering in the city of Yining.
In the lead-up to the games, organizers unveiled official mascots for the event. According to altxw.com, the mascots are named "Jun Jun" (a horse) and "Yang Yang" (a sheep), reflecting the region's pastoral heritage. The names and animal choices tie directly to local cultural symbols.
Separately, ylxw.com.cn reported that the basketball competition for the Yili competition zone, sponsored by Qiya Xinjiang Group, has already concluded. That result indicates that some events began before the formal opening ceremony, with the Yili zone's basketball tournament wrapping up ahead of the main kickoff.
The dual event structure — pairing the regional games with the ethnic traditional sports meet — highlights Xinjiang's effort to blend modern competitive athletics with cultural traditions. The inclusion of ethnic sports distinguishes this gathering from standard provincial games, per the source reports.
What to watch next: Results from the traditional ethnic sports events, which are expected to feature disciplines unique to the region's various communities, will likely emerge over the coming days as competition continues in Yining.
