Poland hosts International Chovqan Federation’s third General Assembly and European Championship draw ceremony

Poland has hosted the 3rd General Assembly of the International Chovqan Federation, alongside the draw ceremony for the upcoming European Chovqan Championship.

During the Assembly, the Federation expanded its global reach by welcoming 12 new member countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Egypt, Niger, Peru, Romania, Sudan, Thailand, and New Zealand.

The dates and venues for the upcoming continental championships were also confirmed: Asian Championship – Uzbekistan, early September; African Championship – Nigeria, late September; South American Championship – Argentina, late November.

Addressing the Assembly, Bahruz Nabiyev, President of the International Chovqan Federation, highlighted the special attention and state support that chovqan receives in Azerbaijan. He noted that President Ilham Aliyev’s initiatives have set a model for promoting and internationalizing this ancient sport with rich cultural heritage.

The Assembly also included the draw for the European Chovqan Championship, which will be held in Poland from June 5–8. The matchups are as follows:

- Poland vs. Hungary

- Azerbaijan vs. Türkiye

- Malta vs. Great Britain

The opening ceremony of the championship is scheduled to begin today at 18:00 Baku time.

Chovqan, often regarded as the ancestor of polo, is a dynamic equestrian sport requiring exceptional horsemanship, strategic play, and teamwork. Played between two teams of five — comprising two fullbacks and three forwards — the objective is to score more goals than the opponent using wooden mallets.

Recognized for its cultural significance, Chovqan was inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013.