In order to revive the long-lost childhood games, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports has decided to organise ‘Rural Sports Meet’ across the district.
The State Government had allocated Rs. 1.5 lakh to each taluk to conduct rural sport meets and therefore the department has resolved to revive the traditional sports, H.P. Manjula, Assistant Director for the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, told The Hindu here on Thursday.
Electronic gadgets such as videogames, cellphones and computers have destroyed most of the traditional sports. And, that has prompted the State Government to allocate grants in the last year tabled budget for reviving the forgotten traditional sports.
“We will shortly list the games and chalk-out plans to organise the events”, Ms. Manjula said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sanctioned Rs. 3 lakh for the district to organise rural sports in two taluks. The Government would release funds to other five taluks within a few days. The department has decided to organise rural sports meets in all seven taluks within the third week of March, another officer of the department said.
Channemane, Kuntebille, Buguri, Goli, Mallakambh, Gilli-Danda, Anne-Kallu, Rama-Sithe, bullock car race, lifting stones/boulders are some of the traditional sports of Mandya district which were successful in keeping the rural folks occupied in their leisure.
