'Throwball developing rapidly in India'

Nagpur, May 27

Vice-president of Asian Throwball Federation of India and Asian Throwball Federation Murlidhar Murarkar said the game of throwball is developing rapidly in India and it requires very minimal equipment. The game is very easy with less technicality as far as rules and regulations are concerned.

He was speaking during the online Karate and Sports Seminar for Physical and Spiritual Development of Sportspersons organised by Karate Budokan International (Vidarbha Region). Kyoshi Harish B Choube, Black Belt 7th Dan, National Chief Instructor and Examiner, Karate Budokan International and National Sports Co-ordinator was the host of the webinar.

Speaking further Mururkar said that the game is a non-contact sport played on a rectangular court across a net between two teams of nine players each. “Dr Harry Crowe Buck, who was father of Scientific Physical Education in India and Founder of Young Men’s Christian Association’s (YMCA) College of Physical Education of Madras in the year 1920 introduced the game. Throwball is very popular among women in England and Australia during 1930s. “It is believed that throwball was brought toYMCA College of Physical Education, Chennai, India in 1940s as a sport for women. To attract more players, Dr Buck drafted guidelines, rules and regulations of the game in 1955. “Thereafter till 1960 throwball was a regular part of school games for girls in India.,” informed Murarkar.

Elaborating further about the competitions held in India, Dr Murarkar informed, “Shashi Prabha of Haryana organised the first national throwball championship in Jind, Haryana in 1978. Delhi men team emerged the winner of the inaugural championship. Zineeth Fernando of Colombo, Sri Lanka imparted coaching to Indian team at Government College, Jind, Haryana in 1982 for a fortnight and then India toured Sri Lanka in 1982,” said Murarkar.

Murarkar said the throwball ground requires a very small piece of evenly surfaced land, rectangular in shape for senior and junior categories.The equipment required are the two poles, a net, a ball and a whistle. “Senior National Championships, Junior National Championships, Sub-Junior National Championships and Federation CupTournaments are regularly organised in India by the federation. Twenty-two State and union Territories are affiliated with Throwball Federation of India and all units participate regularly in all competitions organised by the federation,” mentioned Murarkar. The webinar concluded with an interactive session. Reena Choube, senior national throwball player, proposed a vote of thanks.