Page 22 - CONNECT 2023-24
P. 22
Indoor Sports in India
- Shreya Shewale
Words like “games” and “sport” are were swords, batons, coins, and cups, which
mentioned relating to India, at once such are still used in some countries. India China
sports as cricket, football, hockey, and other and Korea also have traditional packs of
high-ranking sports with a huge following in playing cards. The Indian cards are usually
the country come to one’s mind. However, round, and have 8, 10 12 cards each. Chinese
indoor games are also important as they playing cards are very small and narrower
help keep people entertained without than European cards.
leaving the comfort of their homes or being
bothered by the weather. Apart from serving Chess: Chess holds a high rank among the
entertainment purposes, these sports most popular indoor games in India. It is a
also help maintain mental and physical game that requires a high level of mental
balance while developing valuable skills. In ability with keen interest. It increases the
international tournaments, indoor sports are analytical skills of the human mind. Also, it
highly recognized and are given the same helps to enhance the ability to focus and
priority as outdoor sports. be patient with players. It is widely believed
India has been rich in indoor sports since that Indians are very good at the game
prehistoric years. For instance, the game since it originated in India. Chess is played
of chess was founded in northern India by two players over a board with 16 pieces
centuries ago. Though it seems as though available to each. Each piece has a unique
cricket has covered up every other sport in characteristic and style of movement.
India, the situation is fast changing lately The game’s objective is to checkmate the
as many indoor sports are starting to gain opponent’s lead piece – the king.
traction across the country. Today, various
indoor sports have become popular in Kabaddi: Kabaddi is another indoor game
India, and notable talents in these sports that has its roots in Tamil Nadu – ancient India.
are beginning to emerge locally and It was once known as a village recreational
internationally. sport. However, through the influence of the
Let’s review indoor sports that are highly PKL (Pro Kabaddi League), the game has
popular in India. evolved in recent years to become one of
India’s most loved sports – gaining massive
Card games: Most card games are played enthusiasts and followers. India is well-
with a pack of 52 playing cards, which are known for its outstanding performances
divided equally into four suits spades, clubs, in kabaddi in the Asian Cup tournaments
hearts, and diamonds. Each suit has the and Olympic games. Today, the sport is
numbers 2 to 10 followed by the picture widely played in various institutions across
cards – Jack, Queen, and King – and the ace the country. Kabaddi is a game of physical
with a single pip. In some games, the ace is strength, stamina, and stealth. A match is
treated as a 1, in others as better than a king. played between two teams of around ten
In English language packs, the picture cards players each. The game’s duration is divided
are marked J, Q, K and the ace A. Playing into two halves, with 20 minutes for each half
cards came to Europe from the Muslim world and a break of 5 minutes. A point is scored
in the 14th century. At that time the suit signs when a player from one team (known as the
2023-24 22