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GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS
By
nature Punjabis are sports-lovers. They have produced some world-famous
sportsmen like Dara Singh, Milka Singh and Balbir Singh, who have made a name for
themselves and for the country in wrestling, athletics and hockey. There are all
types of games suiting the age and stamina of all persons. While the
young persons are engaged in Kabaddi and wrestling, the smaller ones play
gullidanda, kokla chhapaki, khiddoo etc. Older persons have tahna and chopar to
keep them occupied.
Sports are a common phenomenon at fairs. The participants jump into the
fields to play kabaddi, wrestling, gripping the wrist etc. Sometimes
inter-village championships are held.
Kabaddi is the most popular game of the Punjab and is played by people of
different age-groups. This is one game in which the participant has to give a
proper exhibition of his physical powers, ability, craft and practice to hold
breath.
The players are divided into two groups. Both the teams stand facing each
other and a line is drawn in the centre. One member of the team on one side of
the line runs across to the other side, all the time shouting in one breath 'kabaddi,
kabaddi'.
His effort is to touch a member of the opposite team and run safely back to his
side. If he succeeds the player of the opposite team thus touched is eliminated
from the play. The team on the other side endeavours to ensure that the person
touched should hold the attacker and keep him on their side of the line till his
breath breaks. If the attacker crosses the line back without losing his
breath he is victorious, otherwise he is eliminated. This is how players are made
to go out one by one till one of the teams is entirely eliminated and thus
defeated.
Saunchi is a game very popular in
Malwa, Ferozepur and
Bhatinda. This is a
kind of tag played by two men, the object being to strike the other person on the
chest with the open hand, without being caught. Wrestling is another highly popular sport in the Punjab. Almost in
every fair wrestling is a must. Wrestling is a severe test for the stamina as
also trick and ability. Out of the two competitors, he who succeeds in pinning
the other flat, the shoulders touching the ground is declared the winner.
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