Everyone knows that Indians are obsessed with cricket. Most people also know that the country, while not at the absolute top of the international football scene, is a big part of the global football phenomenon. Other Commonwealth games also come to mind and even a few native ones such as kabbadi. But did you know that there are actually several other sports that Indians practice on a regular basis that aren’t particularly global phenomena?
Let’s take a look at several favorite sports of Indians that you’ve probably never heard of. You can still watch the big ones and even bet on them using the best online betting app. But it is fun to learn about what’s happening in remote corners of India.
Kalaripayattu
Can you say that ten times fast? Well, Indians certainly can. Kalaripayattu is a martial art that has been around for centuries. It has its origins in the Indian state of Kerala in the southern part of the country. There are several different styles of martial arts, and some are more difficult than others. It is considered to be a worthy counterpart of kung fu and other fighting sports. And because of the difficulty that the name presents, it also takes on the nicknames kalari and Kalari Payat.
Yubi Lakpi
This funny-sounding name is actually a form of football. The name literally translates to “coconut snatching” and it is, indeed, played with coconut rather than a football. It originates from the Manipur area, and it is rugged in terms of more than just equipment. Players typically play barefoot, seven men to a team, and wear nothing but shorts when they play. It is particularly popular during the Yaoshong festival that takes place in the springtime and is seen as something of a springtime ritual in the Manipur region.
Jalikattu
Jalikattu is in some ways the Indian equivalent of the running of the bulls in Spain, although it involves many more people in the ring, and is generally much more chaotic. In it, a bull gets released into a crowd of people, and the people try to grab the bull’s humpback and gain control over it while it runs around. The bull sometimes has flags attached to its horns, and players are tasked with having to remove the flags while they control the bull for as long as possible. Jalikattu players wear traditional sports outfits and play according to pre-established rules. The sport had engendered a lot of controversy over the years because of being so dangerous and has at times been banned altogether. Because of its popularity in places like Tamil Nadu, Pongal, and Mattu Pongal, though, the government decided to bring it back.
Inbuan
Inbuan is a style of wrestling that is particular to the region of Mizoram. It has its origins in the village of Dungtland, and is said to go back to 1750. The local legend has it that it started among boys in a local dormitory who would gather during the evening to wrestle, and the particular style evolved during that time. Inbuan involves its own specific circle of approximately 15 feet in diameter. The goal of any match is to lift one’s competitor off his feet without violating the many strict rules of the sport. It includes its own unique style belt that is worn by all competitive wrestlers.
Are the big sports going anywhere?
Certainly not. These small regional pastimes will likely remain regional and, if anything, might become an object of fascination to tourists passing through. But none of them pose a risk to cricket being the most popular sport in the country.
And spectatorship isn’t going anywhere, either. More and more big sports stadiums are being constructed all the time, and you can still go on to https://india1xbet.in/en/mobile and try your hand at wagering on your favorite team.
Still worth a view
Nonetheless, if you happen to be passing through one of these regions, you might want to inquire about local sporting contests. You may just discover a new and unique part of the sporting world that will open your mind up to the larger athletic possibilities.
