Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and Mallakhambaare included in Khelo India Youth Games 2021

Context

• The Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of four Indigenous Games to be a part of Khelo India Youth Games 2021.

What is about these Games?

• The four selected games represent different parts of the country.

1. Kalaripayattu

• It has its origin from Kerala and has practitioners all over the world.

2. Mallakhamba

• It has been well-known across India and Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have been the hotspots of this sport.

3. Gatka

• It originates from the State of Punjab and this traditional fighting style of the Nihang Sikh Warriors is used both as self-defense as well as a sport.

4.Thang-Ta

• It is a Manipur marital art has passed into oblivion in the recent decades.

What would be the significance of this move?

• Khelo India will certainly help to promote and revive a forgotten Indian traditional martial art having a historical significance.
• In addition this step will give boost to the efforts of India in furtherance of creating awareness in the country as well as overseas.

Khelo India Youth Games 2021

• Khelo India Youth Games 2021 will be held in Haryana.
• Khelo India Youth Games held annually in January or February.
• These are the national level multidisciplinary grass-root games in India.
• These are held for two categories, namely under-17 years school students and under-21 college students.