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Observer
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Observer
Ancient Myanmar ball game battles for survival in troubled nation
Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport -- a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. "Once you get into playing the game you forget everything," says 74-year-old Win Tint. "You concentrate only on your touch and you concentrate only on your style." Chinlone is Myanmar's national game and dates back centuries. Branded a blend of sport and art, it is often played to music and is typically practised differently by men and women. This photo taken on May 8, 2025 show a man weaving cane into a chinlone ball, used in the ancient Myanmar game considered a blend between sport and art, at a workshop in Hinthada township in the Irrawaddy delta region. Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport -- a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. - To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP) / To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY Male teams in skimpy shorts stand in a circle using stylised strokes of their feet, knees and heads to pass the ball in a game of "keepy-uppy", with a scoring system impenetrable to outsiders. Women play solo like circus performers -- kicking the ball tens of thousands of times per session while walking tightropes, twirling umbrellas and perching on chairs balanced atop beer bottles. Teen prodigy Phyu Sin Phyo hones her skills at the court in Yangon, toe-bouncing a burning ball while spinning a hula-hoop -- also on fire. "I play even when I am sick," says the 16-year-old. "It is important to be patient to become a good chinlone player." But play has plunged in recent years, with the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the 2021 military coup and subsequent civil war. Poverty rates are shooting up and craftsmen face increasing problems sourcing materials to make balls. But the rising and falling rhythm of the game offers its practitioners a respite. "When you hear the sound of kicking the ball it's like music," Win Tint, vice-chairman of the Myanmar Chinlone Federation, told AFP. "So when you play chinlone, you feel like dancing." - 'Play day is happy' - Different versions of the hands-free sport known as "caneball" are widely played across Southeast Asia. In Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia players kick and head the ball over a net in the volleyball-style "sepak takraw". In Laos it is known as "kataw" while Filipinos play "sipa" -- meaning kick. In China, people kicking around weighted shuttlecocks in parks is a common sight. Myanmar's iteration dates back 1,500 years, according to popular belief. Some cite a French archaeologist's discovery of a replica silver chinlone ball at a pagoda built in the Pyu era of 200 BC to 900 AD. It was initially practised as a casual pastime, a fitness activity and for royal entertainment. But in 1953 the game was given rules and a scoring system, as part of an effort to codify Myanmar's national culture after independence from Britain. This photo taken on May 13, 2025 shows players taking part in a game of the traditional Myanmar sport of chinlone at a court in Yangon. Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport -- a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. - To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP) / To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY "No one else will preserve Myanmar's traditional heritage unless the Myanmar people do it," said player Min Naing, 42. Despite the conflict, players still gather under motorway overpasses, around street lamps blighted with wartime blackouts and on dedicated chinlone courts -- often ramshackle open-sided metal sheds with concrete floors. "For a chinlone man, the day he plays is always a happy day. I am happy, and I sleep well at night," says Min Naing. "On the days I don't play it, I feel I am missing something." - 'Respect the chinlone' - But Win Tint is concerned that participation rates are falling. "I worry about this sport disappearing," says master chinlone ball maker Pe Thein, toiling in a sweltering workshop in Hinthada, 110 kilometres (70 miles) northwest of Yangon. "That's the reason we are passing it on through our handiwork." Cross-legged men shave cane into strips, curve them with a hand crank and deftly weave them into a melon-sized ball with pentagonal holes, boiled in a vat of water to seal its strength. "We check our chinlone's quality as if we're checking diamonds or gemstones," adds the 64-year-old Pe Thein. "As we respect the chinlone, it respects us back." This photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows Mg Kaw, owner of a production workshop for chinlone balls, used in the ancient Myanmar game considered a blend between sport and art, in Hinthada township in the Irrawaddy delta region. Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport -- a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. - To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP) / To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY Each ball takes around two hours to make and earns business-owner Maung Kaw $2.40 apiece. But supplies of the best-quality rattan he covets from nearby Rakhine are dwindling. There is fierce fighting in the state between the military and opposition groups that now control almost all of it. Farmers are too fearful to plunge into the jungle battleground to cut cane, says Maung Kaw, endangering his profession. "It should not be that we have players but no chinlone makers," says the 72-year-old. "I want to work as well as I can for as long as I can." —AFP
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nagaland's agri project FOCUS completed, to benefit 1.18L households
Dimapur: Nagaland's agriculture project to strengthen cultivation systems and improving farmers' incomes called — Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming System in the Northeast (FOCUS) — has successfully concluded, marking a significant milestone in the state's agricultural development. Speaking at the project completion workshop in Kohima on Tuesday, agriculture production commissioner and mission director of FOCUS, Wezope Kenye, said the success of the project was a result of collaborative efforts, shared vision, and the determination of all stakeholders. Kenye said FOCUS is the first externally aided project in Nagaland's agriculture sector, implemented in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). "This initiative represents a pioneering step in strengthening farming systems and improving agricultural incomes across the state, laying a strong foundation for further sectoral development and institutional growth," Kenye said. With over 70% of Nagaland's population dependent on agriculture, the project has played a transformative role in enhancing income opportunities, building climate resilience, and empowering farming communities to adapt and thrive. The project, which commenced on Jan 25, 2018, was originally scheduled to conclude by March 31, 2024. However, due to Covid-19-related challenges, an extension was required. "Despite setbacks, FOCUS successfully reached 645 villages across nine districts, directly benefiting approximately 1,18,000 households, covering nearly 89% of the target group," he said. The initiative led to the development of vital agricultural infrastructure, improved market access, and strengthened rural livelihoods, significantly boosting local economies. Kenye said the project invested in market access facilities, community seed banks, and logistical assets such as refrigerated vans, ensuring long-term support for farming communities. Country programme analyst, IFAD CO, Piyush Kanal, highlighted the activities and achievements of the project, reinforcing its impact on sustainable agriculture in Nagaland.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
People react to statewide cell phone ban in schools
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Wednesday, Governor Kay Ivey signed the FOCUS Act, which prohibits students from using smartphones and other wireless devices in public schools. News 19 spoke to several people in downtown Huntsville Wednesday evening to get their thoughts on this change. Most people said they think it is a good idea to get rid of distractions in the classroom, but some had concerns about safety and being able to communicate with family members throughout the day. City of Huntsville facing another discrimination lawsuit from second former police dispatcher One high school senior said he thinks phones can be distracting. 'I have a lot of friends who just sit on their phone all class period and don't get anything done,' said Jordan Cre. However, he doesn't necessarily agree with prohibiting phones altogether. 'Honestly, I feel like in some cases phones help,' he said. 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. Cre said he has a hard time focusing in class and typically listens to music to help him zone in. 'If I don't have anything to listen to or look at than I can't focus on my work' he said. However, focus is exactly what Alabama lawmakers want to restore in the classroom. Governor Ivey signed the Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act on Wednesday. 'I love the intent of the rule, I just think enforcement would be pretty difficult,' said Ethan Alexander. He said he thinks it could be good for students to be less distracted by their devices, but he isn't sure if this is the way to go. 'I don't know if the state needs to mandate it as a rule, per se,' Alexander told News 19. Most school systems across North Alabama already have a cell phone and social media policy in place. For example, Huntsville City School's Student Code of Conduct already requires students to have their phones turned off and stored in backpacks, purses or lockers during instructional time. A spokesperson for Huntsville City Schools said it will make any necessary changes to ensure compliance with the FOCUS Act. Other school systems News 19 reached out to said the same. We would love your input on this. You can vote here in our poll. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama Senate passes bill banning cell phones in public schools
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Gov. Ivey praised the Alabama Senate Wednesday night after it unanimously passed a bill that would ban the use of cell phones in state public schools. The bill (SB92) would establish the Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act, which bans 'the use, operation, and possession of wireless communication devices on certain public school properties.' Additionally, students would be required to complete a social media safety course prior to the eighth grade. Alabama congressman predicts U.S. Space Command will relocate to Alabama soon 'The Senate unanimously passed the FOCUS Act, which removes the distraction of cell phones during students' classes. There's a time and a place for our phones, but while a teacher is teaching is NOT it. Thank you, Sen. Donnie Chesteen. Let's get this bill to my desk!' Gov. Ivey wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The Alabama House companion bill, HB 166, passed last week. The bills now swap chambers and whichever bill first passes through the opposite chamber is sent to Gov. Ivey's desk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FOCUS: Unlocking Instantaneous Centimeter-Level Accuracy for the Masses
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 08, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading GNSS data services provider, Rx Networks, unveils TruePoint | FOCUS, a high-precision cloud-based GNSS correction service delivering instantaneous centimeter-level accuracy across a wide range of applications. TruePoint | FOCUS is designed to meet the demands of applications that require real-time precision without compromise. It supports both RTK (OSR) and PPP-RTK (SSR) modes to deliver flexibility and performance across a range of devices and use cases. The service empowers GNSS receivers with centimeter-level positioning accuracy, enabling a wide array of high-precision use cases in industries such as micro-mobility, smart agriculture, robotics, drones, IoT, and machine control. The RTK mode is fully hardware-agnostic and compatible with all RTK-capable GNSS receivers, removing the limitations imposed by proprietary ecosystems. TruePoint | FOCUS ensures effortless integration through standard correction protocols like RTCM v3, and supports access via NTRIP, allowing for rapid deployment and minimal integration effort. In PPP-RTK mode, users can benefit from advanced SSR-based delivery, achieving high-accuracy positioning with optimized bandwidth. TruePoint | FOCUS also supports more GNSS signals than most competing solutions, delivering enhanced resilience and performance in challenging environments. "Precision means nothing without reliability," said John Carley, CEO at Rx Networks. "TruePoint | FOCUS is built on the same ultra-reliable server architecture that powers our service, which supports critical applications worldwide, ensuring our customers get the accuracy they need, every time." TruePoint | FOCUS delivers consistent centimeter-level accuracy with a 99.9% SLA. Its seamless coverage and real-time performance make it ideal for companies operating across North America, Europe, China, and beyond. The correction stream is configurable and includes all available signals across GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou constellations, making TruePoint | FOCUS one of the most comprehensive GNSS correction services on the market. "With this launch, Rx Networks expands the TruePoint portfolio to include LITE, REACH, and now FOCUS," said Ali Soliman, VP of Sales and Marketing at Rx Networks. "Together, these offerings address a wide range of use cases balancing accuracy, coverage, cost and hardware compatibility to support the next generation of GNSS applications." TruePoint | FOCUS is available today for trial in both RTK and PPP-RTK modes across the covered regions, with more new areas on the roadmap. Users can sign up for a complimentary 30-day trial license at For further inquiries, contact sales@ About Rx Networks Inc. Rx Networks is a Canadian company that provides reliable, timely, and relevant location assistance and correction data that improves the GNSS experience and strengthen the connection between people. Billions of devices benefit from Rx Networks GNSS data services every day. View source version on Contacts Rx Networks SolimanVP of Sales and Marketingasoliman@ +1 408 734 6551 Sign in to access your portfolio
