Chandigarh: From June 4 to June 13, 2022, the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 is going to be organized in Haryana. In these, 5 sports of Indian origin have also been included in 25 sports in the under-18 age group. Apart from Panchkula, these games will be played in Shahabad, Ambala, Chandigarh and Delhi. About 8,500 players will take part in these games. Khelo India Youth Games was started in the year 2018 and its credit goes to the then Sports Minister Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. For the first time, 5 traditional Indian games Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasan, Kalaripayattu and Malkhamb have been included in the Khelo India Games. Among them, Gatka, Kalaripayattu and Thang-Ta are traditional martial arts, while Malakhambha and Yogasana are sports involving physical exercises.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (@YASMinistry) posted several posts one after the other on the Koo app, the country's own micro-blogging platform. Regarding the first of these sports, the ministry has said, 'A system of exercise, involving breath control and stretching, which helps to relax our mind and body. It is believed to have started with the birth of civilization!'
- YASMinistry (@YASMinistry) 13 May 2022
At the same time, posting another Koo, the ministry has written that, 'Did you know that Gatka is one of the 5 indigenous sports included in #KheloIndiaYouthGames2021? It is a mixture of acrobatics and fencing and was introduced in the late 17th century as part of self-defense for Sikh warriors fighting the Mughal Empire.'
- YASMinistry (@YASMinistry) 11 May 2022
Detailing about Thang-Ta, the Ministry has said that '#DidYouKnow Thang-Ta is the second of the 5 indigenous games included in #KheloIndiaYouthGames2021? It involves movements mixed with breathing rhythm. It was developed amidst the war atmosphere of Manipur and played an important role in its geopolitical setting.
- YASMinistry (@YASMinistry) 12 May 2022
Union Minister Anurag Thakur has also given information about the five traditional games to participate in the Khelo India Youth Games by doing the Koo App. He wrote, "5 traditional games will be included in the 4th Khelo India Youth Games to be held in Haryana. Gatka, Thang-ta, Yogasana, Kalarapyattu and Malkhambh. The biggest contestant is 8500 players coming to this youth games. '
- Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) 7 May 2022
Which 5 sports were included in Khelo India Youth Games 2022:-
Gatka :-
The Punjab government has recognized the game of Gatka as a martial arts, which has been included in the Youth Khelo India Games for the first time. Gatka Nihang is the traditional fighting style of Sikh warriors. Players also use it as a game with self-defense. Arms operation of this art is performed in religious festivals of Sikhs.
thang-ta:-
Thang-ta is a Manipuri ancient martial art. It includes a variety of combat styles. The word thang means sword and the word ta means spear. Thus Thang-ta game is played with sword, shield and spear. This art is also known as a traditional folk dance along with the art of self-defense and warfare.
Yogasanas:-
Yoga is an ancient heritage of Indian culture and yoga benefits the human body and mind. Nowadays players of all sports definitely include yoga in their practice schedule. In an effort to develop Yoga as a competitive sport, it has been included in the Khelo India Youth Games-2022.
Kalaripayattu :-
Kalaripayattu is a traditional martial art of Kerala. This game is also known as Kalari. This includes foot strikes, wrestling and predetermined methods. Kalaripayattu is considered to be one of the oldest fighting methods in the world. It is also very popular among the Malayali community of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, North Eastern countries of Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Malakhambh:-
Malkhambh is the oldest traditional game of India. It is made up of a combination of two words, in which the word Malla means warrior and the word Khambh means pillar. In this, the players demonstrate their physical flexibility by showing different yoga and fitness related feats with the support of a wooden pole. In Malkhamb, all parts of the body can be trained in a very short time. This game was first declared a state sport by Madhya Pradesh in the year 2013.
Umran Malik created a sensation with his speed, broke the 5 year old record of 'Bumrah'