Revisit traditional games, Budgujar urges students

Former Commonwealth Games medallist in judo Dr Rakesh Budgujar emphasised on revisiting the traditional games that were played in lanes and bylanes and involved minimal costs.

Budgujar, who is a Governing Body Member, Sport Authority of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, New Delhi and Founder of Badgujar Sports Academy, Amravati was addressing the participants during an online seminar of Karate and Sports seminar for the physical and spiritual development of the students. The event is being organised by Karate Budokan International (Vidarbha Region) with Kyoshi Harish Choube, National Chief, Instructor and Examiner Karate Budokan International and Sports Coordinator being the host of the show.

Badgujar mentioned about a number of traditional games which have been a part of our culture with emphasis on ‘galli khel’ — those which were played in local areas, lanes and bylanes. He informed that most of the games played were the same yet known by different games in different parts of India. Badgujar said that unfortunately, the present generation is missing out on these activities due to the changed lifestyles.

. Dr Badgujar, who also conducts traditional games in India, also explained how some of the games are played like khupus, lagori, dabbadubi, mamacha rumaal. He suggested that events including these games be organised for spreading awareness of these games especially amongst the younger generation.

After ten days of daily two sessions of this ongoing online event, Harish Choube kept a special session as a Town Hall Open Meet to invite feedback and suggestions for future topics. Choube informed that he has been receiving positive responses through emails, messages, phone calls from a wide range of participants for these seminars

. A suggestion was received to publish a book of these sessions. Renshi Sanjay Athavale responded that it can be in the form of ebook(s), online web links of recordings (though these need to be properly edited before uploading) and such other eplatforms. These seminars have become an at-home communication portal in the present pandemic times, where physical contact or regular classes, training cannot be undertaken. They help in increasing positivity while adding to the knowledge. These are not online karate training classes but address the broader sports, fitness, positivity aspects. The seminar concluded with an interactive question and answer session where in youngsters cleared their doubts. A vote of thanks was proposed by Renshi Pramod Jambhulkar.