Five-day mallakhamb training camp begins

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 12

A five-day All India Mallakhamb Training Camp began at Vidya Dham here on Thursday. Inaugurated by Vihay Nadda, north zone organising secretary of Vidya Bharti, and Ramesh Indalia, president, Mallakhamb Federation of India, introduced students to the ancient sport.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the camp at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Auditorium, Vijay Nadda said: “The Mallakhamb is not a new sport for India. It is a different matter that today’s youngsters are not aware of the discipline. In ancient India, in the Gurukuls Mallakhamb was an essential sport. It is only because of the Mallakhamb that great warriors have been born in India. It is an ancient traditional game in which players perform a variety of feat on an upward pillar of wood. In fact, the pillar used in it is called ‘ Mallkhamb’. This is the state game of Madhya Pradesh. ‘ Mallakhamb’ is composed of two words—’Mal’ means strong or warrior and pillar.”

The Central Government is formulating a number of schemes to revive the ancient traditional spor, he added.

Ramesh Indalia said, “This ancient traditional sports discipline needs to be extended to the masses because it is not just a sport but also a reflection of the glorious history of our country.” Speaking about the five-day camp, Yogesh Malviya (technical member, All India Mallakhamb Federation) said the training camp would be attended by mallakhamb trainers, who will impart training in the discipline at different places. The camp has been set up under the aegis of Sarvhitkari Educational Society, Punjab, and Kreeda Bharati, Punjab.

A total of 27 trainers from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab have come for this course.