Reviving Traditional Sports

In India, if one were to ask any child (or person) his/her favourite sport/game, the answer will usually be cricket (of course, now there are the likes of angry birds too in contention!). The recently concluded IPL mania is a testament to that fact. Cricket is almost a religion in India, having gained its status unfortunately though at the expense of other sports. Except for some sporadic feats, the country’s sporting progress over the last five plus decades has been dismal. In fact, various traditional Sports and Games (like khokho, kabbadi, malkham) that once had its roots entrenched within our country might soon just represent an obituary in the annals of our sporting legacy. 

It’s for this reason that we need to cheer the launch of the newly launched Pro Kabbadi League which will surely be a shot in the arm for improving awareness, re-establishing the status of such traditional sports while also acknowledging the skills of the sportspersons. Personally, it also touched a special chord with the sheer coincidence of the league being announced with our decision to introduce Kabbadi within the SPA curriculum at our preschool (placing us among a handful of leading preschools to do so, nationally). 

Perhaps it was a tryst with destiny that I attended a presentation by Charu Sharma, the co-founder of the Pro kabbadi league at the prestigious college of design – ISDI, while I was toying with the idea. My thoughts got wings and I decided to go ahead with introducing Kabbadi, a sport that is in our DNA, as Charu Sharma puts it.  

 

Kabaddi might not rank as the most popular sport but the skill sets required to play the sport extends beyond that required just during the game.  It is a combative team game and everyone is a part of winning and losing unlike some other sports where one or two players can help the team to win or lose. Also the use of 'Yog' - mind body, soul and self -control forms an important part of Kabbadi. 

In fact, such skills are best inculcated in young tots since it not only helps in the holistic development of the child but sharpens children's skills and will power. Since Yog is an integral part in Kabbadi, it helps in overcoming anxieties, developing focus, presence of mind, observing smallest details while inculcating the right spirit of playing the sport.  The benefits of Kabbadi are too many and often surpass other games/sports due to its nature of developing the mind, the body and the spirit. We have observed children have benefited tremendously in terms of developing controlled speed, presence of mind, stamina, team work, discipline, loyalty. For all its benefits, Kabbadi is extremely simple.  It is easy to comprehend rules and doesn’t require any sophisticated equipment. It is also very popular in developing nations and can be practiced by all. 

We had the challenge of course to change the mind-sets of parents and even teachers into believing in the benefits of traditional sports (we had introduced khokho in the last bit last year) but through persistent and constant interaction we have been successful in showing each stakeholder the value these kinds of games can have about for the children, our youth and our country. In the coming years, we will strive to spread the benefits of such sports and can only hope other schools also help in taking this forward collectively. We must all work toward that day when such jewels in our sporting legacy find the rightful place and well-deserved respect at international prestigious tournaments.

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