Leading on from the success of the soccer World Cup, Brazil has announced it will be host for the first World Indigenous Games, set to take place in September 2015 in Palmas, Tocatins state.
It is being supported by the Brazilian Tourism Board Embratur, which started promoting the event recently at World Travel Market, and sees it as a major opportunity to showcase both ecotourism and the diversity of Brazilian culture on a global stage.
"Hosting the World Indigenous Games in Brazil is an opportunity to show the world the diversity of our country, in addition to valuing the cultural richness of the indigenous peoples and promoting other sectors like ecotourism and adventure tourism," said Vicente Neto, president of Embratur.
With the motto "In 2015, we are all natives", Palmas will welcome ethnic groups from throughout the Americas, Australia, Japan, Norway, Russia, China and the Philippines.
Brazil alone will have 22 separate indigenous groups taking part in a host of sporting events.
This includes archery, spear throwing, tug of war, traditional canoeing, log races, wrestling matches, head football, swimming and athletics.
Inter-tribal sporting competition is well established in Brazil, but this will be the first time on a truly global scale.
"The support of Embratur is critical to the success of the Games. The state of Tocantins has enormous tourism potential that we need to promote," said Palmas mayor Carlos Amastha.
