Key Points:
- The Khelo India Youth Games 2021 that are scheduled to take place in Haryana have included four indigenous sports in the games.
- The Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of the four sports – Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and Mallakhamba.
- The Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, after the decision said, “India has a rich heritage of indigenous sports, and it is a priority for the sports ministry to preserve, promote and popularize these games.”
The Khelo India Youth Games 2021 that are scheduled to take place in Haryana have included four indigenous sports in the games. The Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of the four sports – Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and Mallakhamba.
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 Panchkula, Haryana. India has a rich culture of indigenous games and it is our endeavour to preserve, promote and popularise these. @mlkhattar pic.twitter.com/w33JIU18Si
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 20, 2020
The Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, after the decision said, “India has a rich heritage of indigenous sports, and it is a priority for the sports ministry to preserve, promote and popularize these games.”
Saying that there is no better platform than the Kheloo India Games where athletes of these games can compete, Minister Rijiju said,
“India has a rich heritage of indigenous sports, and it is a priority for the Sports Ministry to preserve, promote and popularise these games. There is no better platform than the Khelo India Games where athletes of these games can compete. The games have huge popularity and are telecast across the country by Star Sports, so I am confident that in the 2021 Khelo India Youth Games these four disciplines, along with Yogasana, will get their much-deserved attention among sports enthusiasts and youth of the country. In the coming years, we will be able to add more indigenous sports at the Khelo Games.”
India has a rich culture of indigenous games. PM @NarendraModi Ji wants to preserve & popularise all of them. I'm very happy to announce that 4 Indigenous Games of Kalaripayattu, Mallakamb, Gatka and Thang-Ta have been added to Khelo India Youth Games 2020 along with Yogasana! pic.twitter.com/f7e2Wn88Vk
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 20, 2020
The Four Games:
Official Press Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1682218
1) Mallakhamba
– Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have been the hotspots for the sport.
– A gymnast performs aerial yoga or gymnastic postures and wrestling grips in concert with a vertical stationary or hanging wooden pole, cane, or rope.
2) Kalaripayattu
Origin – Kerala
Known For – Its long-standing history within Indian martial arts and is believed to be the oldest surviving martial art in India.
Actor Vidyut Jammwal is a Kalaripayattu practitioner.
3) Gatka
Origin – Punjab
– A Traditional Fighting style of the Nihang Sikh Warriors, used as self-defence as well as a sport.
4) Thang-Ta
Origin – Manipur
– A Martial art which also has a connection with a certain war-dance.
The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Ashwathnarayan CN on Monday hailed the move of including four indigenous games in the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2021.
Elated to learn that the Sports Ministry has included Manipur's Thang-Ta in Khelo India Games 2021. On behalf of the people of Manipur, extending my heartfelt thanks to Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji & Union Sports Minister Shri @KirenRijiju ji for this recognition@kheloindia pic.twitter.com/YqEqZNXX9U
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) December 20, 2020
