President, government members arrive in Guria to attend traditional game
15.04.12 17:58
President of Georgia and government members arrived in the village of Shukhuti of Guria region in Western Georgia to attend a game of Leloburti, the traditional Georgian folk sport there.
Tens of tourists were also in the village watching the game.
The tradition is observed in Guria every Easter during the last three centuries.
About 300 people were participating in the game today.
Georgian president arrived in Shukhuti with his family.
Saakashvili with his family also visited the Imnaishvili family in the town of Lanvhkhuti in Guria today. They congratulated on Easter to teh family and brought presents.
Lelo or Leloburti (meaning literally in Georgian "Field Ball") is a Georgian folk sport, which is a full contact ball game, and very similar to rugby. In fact, even within Georgian rugby union terminology, the word Lelo is used to mean a try, and the popularity of rugby union in Georgia has also been attributed to it.
Lelo was played in Georgia from ancient times and is still played on occasions in rural areas.
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