Natl Games medal events: IOA wants to be selective

The revival of the National Games from 2022 and the government's push to promote traditional sports across the length and breadth of the country have played a pivotal role in their resurgence at the national level.

- Avishek Roy

DEHRADUN: There is a rush amongst several such disciplines to jump on to the bandwagon as India keenly prepare to bid for the 2036 Olympics.

Be it mallakhamb, a competition highlighting flexibility, kalaripayattu, the martial arts form native to Kerala, or other indigenous events such as kho kho or yogasana - the age-old practice of yoga turned into a competitive sport - space is being made for them in the landscape of Indian and global sports.

From their low-key existence in various regions, such sports are increasingly raising the bar. The first Kho Kho World Cup was recently held in New Delhi with fanfare as 23 countries participated. The organisers were quick to announce that they are eyeing a spot for kho kho in India's roster for the 2036 Olympics. Similar pitches have been made for yogasana and mallakhamb. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has included yogasana as a demonstration sport in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.