Latest news with #KheloIndiaBeachGames
Deccan Herald
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Deccan Herald
Siliconcity Academy student to represent India globally
Aasra Sudhir of Siliconcity Academy, Bengaluru, won bronze at the 2025 Khelo India Beach Games in Diu (5 km women's open) and qualified for the World Championship. Secretary L Ravi, Sameera Simha, Sumalini B Swamy, Kannan Gireesh, and Aasra Sudhir were present.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Surf, sand and sports
The inaugural edition of Khelo India Beach Games organised in May in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu was a show of mixed emotions. The elation of victories paralleled the disappointments of falling short. During the open water swimming event, which was held under adverse weather conditions, parents were worried and were waiting on the shore for their competing children to safely return from the sea. Their concerns were drowned in the cheers of local people, volunteers and supporters for the children. The games were held on the blue-flag certified Ghoghla Beach near Diu town. Over 1,300 athletes from 31 States and Union Territories competed in six events — beach soccer, sepak takraw, pencak silat, open water swimming, beach volleyball, and beach kabaddi. Ironically, landlocked Manipur came out as the champions by the sandy shores of Ghoghla. Apart from the competition events, the hosts also put the U.T.'s own sporting talent on display on the final day of the games, demonstrating agility with Mallakhamb — a traditional form of gymnastics; strength with tug-of-war; and grit with boxing. The five-day event gave mediapersons a lot to deal with as photographers often had to deal with unwanted clutter in the background while looking for the perfect frame. Others would have to rival the decibel levels of booming speakers to get across to athletes. The natural lighting of dawns and dusks made covering the games early in the morning or late in the evening incredibly interesting, especially the events of beach kabaddi and sepak takraw, in which players were sort of flying over the sand to score points under the rising/setting sun spinning its own web. The Games had its moments despite challenges, and the beach sports community will hope that the competition augurs well for its future. Show of strength: Athletes in action during the beach kabaddi game. The spirit of the athletes at the Khelo India Beach Games was both fierce and joyous. Aiming for the net: Beach soccer teams from Kerala and Maharashtra fight it out. Sparkling start: A decorated boat during the opening ceremony of the Khelo India Beach Games on the Ghoghla Beach on the Diu Island on May 19. Grabbing eyeballs: A player from Maharashtra sends the ball back in a beach volleyball game. Swift strokes: Athletes participate in the 10-km open water swimming competition. Until one wins: Two women slug it out at the Pencak Silak competition. Champion of the water: Renukacharya Hodmani, representing Karnataka, secured the top spot in the men's category in the 10-km open water swimming contest. Fine balance: Athletes perform Mallakhamb at the opening ceremony. With all their might: The Kerala men's tug of war team in action during the final match. Radiant ending: Artists turn the closing ceremony of the Games to a celebration of the Union Territory as the competitive rivalry comes to an end.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Tug of war in India battles to change perception and pull itself out of obscurity
Five minutes and 22 seconds. That's how long the first pull lasted in the men's final between Punjab and Kerala at the Khelo India Beach Games — the longest in the tournament. Tug of war was one of two demonstration sports at the Games, and the pullers did just that — demonstrated sheer will and strength. Half-buried in the sands of Ghoghla beach, bodies leaned back nearly parallel to the ground, they looked frozen in time. Coaches barked orders. Spectators cheered. But the thick rope barely moved. Among those watching was Satish Kharatmal, a former player and now a referee with the Tug of War Federation of India (TWFI). He's seen the sport dismissed far too often. 'People think you just have to pull the rope. But most can't go beyond 30 seconds. To pull for five minutes, you need three-four years of training — not a 10-day camp.' A Long Way from Pro Hari Singh Thakur, TWFI president for six years, doesn't sugarcoat it. 'We're still far from making this a professional sport. Other countries have raced ahead. We've only just started sending national teams abroad. The results haven't come.' At the 2024 World Championships in Germany, all five Indian teams, selected through trials, finished last in their groups. The next step, Thakur says, is getting services — defence, police, public bodies — involved. 'That could raise the sport's quality and help players stay financially stable.' The Infrastructure Gap TWFI's technical head, Madhavi Patil, points to a deeper gulf. 'In countries like Switzerland, England, and Germany, there are tug of war clubs everywhere. Here, it hasn't spread beyond pockets. We're trying to take it to the districts.' India has the structures — krida mandals and vyayamshalas — but few of them focus on tug of war. Scientific training is still rare. Kharatmal remembers his early days when the technique wasn't even discussed. 'Now we're at least talking about stamina, fouls, fairplay. But we're years behind.' One recurring problem? Funding. The federation, despite being eligible for government support, rarely applies for it. Pre-pandemic travel concessions are gone, and local tournaments often run on registration fees from players. 'We're hoping athletes get central jobs under sports quota someday,' Patil says. Recognition Still Missing Punjab's men's coach Mandeep Singh, fresh off a gold medal win, is blunt: 'This sport isn't recognised in our State. There's no gradation. Kabaddi, hockey, cricket — they're recognised. Tug of war isn't.' Without gradation, athletes can't benefit from sports quotas or get public sector jobs. Gurpreet Singh, one of Punjab's players, says synergy is needed between the national federation and the State governments. 'The federation talks about grassroots, but we don't get support from the State. We even face financial issues while coming to tournaments like these. This sport is once again on the rise, and we hope the State and the federation work in tandem.' Many Punjab players work jobs — electricity boards, farms, juice shops — and play when they can. Despite that, Punjab remains a powerhouse. But Kerala is catching up. The southern State won two golds and a silver at the KIBG. Tug of war is a staple of Onam festivities and second only to football in popularity in many districts. Yet challenges persist. Many players work as daily-wage labourers. The women's team captain, Nima MT, says financial strain is real. 'We use our own money to attend nationals. We don't get jobs. Our certificates aren't recognised outside Kerala. That needs to change.' In the absence of structured support, local prize-money events — often backed by sponsors — keep the sport alive. These competitions also sustain the diverse styles of tug of war seen across Kerala. The shoulder-pulling technique, recently popularised by the Malayalam film Manjummel Boys, dominates in districts like Palakkad, Thrissur, and Malappuram. The style showcased at the KIBG, however, is more common in Kannur and Kasargod. Even the equipment varies wildly. 'We train with coir because it's cheap,' says Irshad K, Kerala's mixed team coach. 'Here they use plastic ropes. Jute ropes, used internationally, are expensive and hard to get.' What's Next? Tug of war was an Olympic sport between 1900 and 1920. Some in India hope for its return, but first, India needs to make a mark internationally. That starts with longer, more consistent training camps. 'We don't have regular camps. That's why we struggle,' says national coach Telin Thamby. 'We're planning one for three to four months next year.' For now, attention turns to trials in Nagaland ahead of the 2025 World Championships in England, where Thamby believes India could finally break through.
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Tourism will reach new heights in Kutch": PM Modi roots for hosting beach games simultaneously with Rann Utsav
Bhuj (Gujarat) [India], May 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants the beach games, which recently gained popularity, to be hosted simultaneously with Rann Utsav, which will act as a catalyst in boosting tourism in Kutch. In the recently concluded Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025, held in Daman and Diu, 811 athletes took part in six medal sports, including pencak silat, sepak-takraw, soccer, volleyball, open sea swimming and kabaddi. Mallakhamb, tug-of-war were the non-medal demonstration sports. Forty-six gold medals were at stake, and 31 states and Union Territories participated in the beach sports carnival. While referencing the success of KIBG 2025, PM Modi believes that if such a tournament is hosted on the coast of Mandvi Beach simultaneously with Rann Utsav, Kutch's tourism will soar to a new level. 'Tourism will grow here. I request Bhupendra bhai and all leaders present here when our Rann Utsav takes place, then why don't we hold beach competitions at the same time? Beach games have gained popularity recently,' PM Modi said on Monday in Bhuj. 'Not long ago, a national competition was held in Diu with thousands of children participating in the event. I want the beach games to take place simultaneously with Rann Utsav regularly. In a way, Kutch will soar to new heights in tourism. If you want any help, I am always present,' PM Modi added. Earlier, PM Modi held a roadshow in Gujarat's Bhuj and later inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 53,400 crore. He received a warm welcome. People waved at him and greeted him enthusiastically. The Prime Minister said that the projects launched today will accelerate progress in power, ports and other infrastructure. The projects from the power sector include transmission projects for evacuating renewable power generated in the Khavda Renewable Energy Park, transmission network expansion, and an ultra-supercritical thermal power plant unit at Tapi. It also includes projects of the Kandla port and multiple road, water and solar projects of the Gujarat government. (ANI)
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Fishermen from tamil nadu win silver at khelo india beach games
They received no formal coaching, but Robin Ravi and S Bharat, members of Tamil Nadu 's fishing community who smashed their way to a silver at the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025 last week in Diu, say they got the hang of beach volleyball because "playing on the sand is second nature" to them. "We live on the beach. Walking, working, and playing on the sand is life," says 23-year-old Bharath, who hails from Palavakkam. "We also represented India at international events such as the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Continental Cup in Bangladesh in 2023, winning bronze," says Ravi of Mayiladuthurai. "Our wins have kindled a passion for the sport among young boys and girls from the fishing hamlets." The fishing community has a natural advantage, says A J Martin Sudhakar, veteran volleyball coach and administrator who was also the competition manager for the sport at KIBG 2025. "The community has given us some of the strongest players in the game. Their lifestyle of pulling fishing nets, walking on shifting sand, and constant exposure to the sun builds stamina, balance, and strength needed for beach volleyball. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O brinde do momento Balinhas Personalizadas Compre já Undo Their lower bodies are already conditioned for the uneven terrain. That's why they excel." Bharat and Robin say the biggest deterrent for them is a lack of funds to train and travel for tournaments. "We were selected in the first round of the Asian Games last year, but because we couldn't afford tickets to attend the second round, we lost the opportunity to take part in the Olympics. Our coach, though, is helping us now," says Bharath, whose father is a plumber. He adds that he and Robin are pursuing a master's degree in hopes of finding a govt job. "If these players get govt jobs, more youngsters from the community will take up the sport professionally." Email your feedback with name and address to
