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On Sunday (Dec 20), the Ministry of Sports confirmed that the ministry has endorsed the inclusion of four indigenous games in the Khelo India Youth Games 2021, planned to be held in Panchkula city of Haryana state.
The inclusion of four indigenous games includes Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Mallakhamba and Thang-Ta.
Announcing the decision on Sunday afternoon, Sports Minister Mr. Kiren Rijiju wrote on his Twitter account, “I’m very happy to announce that 4 Indigenous Games have been added, along with Yogasana, to Khelo India Youth Games 2021, to be held in Haryana.”
In accordance with the minister’s statement, India has a rich heritage of indigenous sports and the preservation, promotion and popularization of these games is a priority for the Ministry of Sports. Over the next few years, the sports ministry will be able to add other indigenous sports to the Khelo India Youth Games (formerly known as Khelo India School Games).
There is no better platform than the Khelo India Games where athletes of these indigenous games can be a competitor. The minister firmly believes that these four indigenous games and Yogasana will receive their well-deserved attention among the sports lovers and the country’s youth at the Khelo India Youth Games 2021.
The four games chosen represent different parts of the nation.
Gatka have its origin in the state of Punjab. It is a kind of stick fight, with wooden sticks designed to simulate swords. Nihang Sikh warriors use this fighting style both as self-defense and as a sport.
Kalaripayattu, also known simply by the name of Kalari, is an Indian martial art that has its origin in modern Kerala.
Mallakhamba is very famous throughout India, and Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have always been the hot spots of this sport. In this sport, gymnasts perform aerial gymnastic poses, yoga and wrestling grips in concert with a vertical fixed or hanging ropes or wooden poles.
Thang-Ta, one of the main components of Huyen langlon, is a Manipur marital art in which performers perform an armed combat using primary weapons: the thang (sword) and ta (spear). It has been overlooked over the last few decades but it will once again be recognized nationally with the help of the Khelo India Youth Games.
Mr. Vinod Sharma, Secretary of Thang-Ta Federation of India, has said that more than 400 athletes from various states will take part in the competition. They want to succeed in this competition and that will help them achieve greater national and international recognition.
