Eternal India Encyclopedia

SPORTS

Eternal India

encyclopedia

an open field measuring 125 metres in length and 80 metres in

breadth.

MANIPUR

Boasts of a number of indigenous games. The salubrious

climate of Manipur has produced healthy, vigorous and energetic

people, who indulge in a number of indigenous sport and activity.

Mukna:

A form of wrestling, which is as old as the Manipuri

civilisation. The sport is normally played on the last day of the

festival worshipping the Slyan deity. The ceremonies are incom-

plete without the holding of Mukna contests. Discipline and

obedience are a must before training can start in this form of

martial art.

Khong Kangjei

: Essentially a form of hockey, this highly

Manipuri in character sport also involves wrestling. According to

legend the game originated in the pre-historic 'Hayichak' era

when a young boy of the royal household was found playing with

a curved stick and a round object.

Sagol Kangjei

: A precursor to the modern game of polo, the

origin of this sport dates back to 3000 B.C. The word Sagol

means a pony, while Kang means a ball and 'jei' a stick. It was a

common game among the ancient Manipuri folk.

Kang Shanaba

: The formation of the All Manipur Kang Asso-

ciation (AMKA) and the conduct of the first women's Kang

Tournament at Imphal in 1980, has kept alive to the modern day,

this ancient sport, which was played between Manipur's New

Year's Day and the Ratha Jatra festival. Though the origins of

the game are uncertain, the rules were standardised from 1948

onwards and the first league Kang tournament held in 1957 saw

the participation of 11 teams. According to one version the Kang

playing field represents the 'Field of Life' and the seven players,

the seven days of the week. There are three events, men vs men,

women vs women and mixed. The game was first taken out of its

native of origin when it was demonstrated in January 1984 in

Amaravathi in Maharashtra.

Yubee Lakpee

: This seven-a-side game, involving the

snatching of a coconut, is a typical outdoor sport of Manipur

played on a field measuring 45.72 metres by 18.29 metres. A

game exclusively for the men, it calls for rugby-like robust,

husky body play with physical prowess. Usually played on the

green turf of the palace, the religious connotation is that the

sport re-enacts the snatching of the pot of nectar after the

churning of the sea.

Hiyang Tannabai

: Another only for men event, this sport

(Boat Race) dates back to the period of King Luwang Ningthou,

Punshiba and figures as a part of the 'Lai Haraoba' festival.

Lamjel

: A popular athletic event, the competitors in this race

are confined to their pannas (revenue/administrative units).

The distance varies and is usually half a mile. After the prelimi-

naries, the final winner is the one who touches the dragon inside

the palace enclosure (Kanglasha in Manipuri).

Cheibi Gad-Ga

: One of Manipur's ancient martial art, the

fighting equipment is a simple sword and shield, now modified

to a stick encased in soft leather and a shield made of leather.

The contestants fight a duel and victory goes to the person who

scores the most points.

Thang-ta and Sarit - Sarak

: Also part of Manipuri martial

tradition, the history of the above two sports dates back to the

17th century. While Thang-ta is the art of using a sword or

spear against one or more opponents, Sarit-Sarak is the tech-

nique of fighting armed or unarmed opponents. Thang-ta can be

practised in three different ways. The first is exclusively a ritual

form, the second a display of decorative swords and spears

dances and the third the actual technique for fighting.

MIZORAM

Insuknawr

: A sport for men, it is a test of strength and

stamina. Played inside a circle with a diameter of 16 feet to 18

feet, the only instrument required is a wooden staff of eight feet

length and three to four inches in diameter. The objective of the

game is to push the opponent out of the circle in three to five

rounds.

Events are held according to the following weight categories:

Below 50 kgs; 51 to 58 kgs; 59 to 66 kgs; 67 to 74 kgs and above

75 kgs.

Inburan:

Another indigenous sport of Mizoram, it involves

lifting the opponent off the ground using strength, skill and rapid

movement of arms and legs. The contest is held over three

rounds of 30 seconds to 60 seconds each or till one of the player

is lifted off the ground. Once again events are held under the

following weight categories. Below 50 kgs; 51 to 58 kgs; 59 to

66 kgs; 67 to 74 kgs; and above 75 kgs.

Mizo Inchai:

Very familiar to the popular form of wrestling a

contestant is declared a winner under the following three condi-

tions.

If he pins both the shoulders of the opponent to the ground

for a count of six in five seconds