Shusha: Chovqan, a traditional horse-riding game played on a flat, grassy field by two teams mounted on Karabakh horses, will see its competitions hosted in Azerbaijan’s cities of Shusha and Khankendi in 2025, as announced by Bahruz Nabiyev, Vice President of the country’s Equestrian Federation.

According to Trend News Agency, Nabiyev informed reporters that discussions have already taken place with the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding the upcoming events. The Federation is committed to promoting both modern equestrian sports and ancient national equestrian games, as explained by the official. The intent behind organizing these competitions is to contribute to the development of national equestrian sports in Azerbaijan.

Emphasizing future plans, the vice president mentioned the participation of Azerbaijani trotters in international competitions. An invitation has been received for a tournament in Trkiye, and specific plans are being developed to facilitate participation.

In 2013, Chovqan was added t
o the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, highlighting its cultural significance and the need for its preservation.