Importance and History of Sports
After playing in the school ground tiredness goes and the mind feels fresh. Games our grandfathers played in childhood still go on; so history of games is very old.
Sport is a combination of entertainment and physical exercise. As playing is a natural human instinct, history of sports begins with the origin of mankind.
Key idea 1 : Importance of play — Playing helps overcome sorrow and worry, refreshes the mind, gives good exercise and makes the body tough and strong. It develops courage, determination and sportsmanship. Team games develop cooperation, team spirit and leadership.
Key idea 2 : Games in ancient times — Hunting was a way of getting food but was also seen as a game and entertainment. Ancient Indian literature and epics mention games of dice (dyut), wrestling, horse and chariot races and chess. The Greeks standardised rules of sports and began to organise them systematically; they started competitions in discus throw, horse and chariot races, wrestling and boxing. Ancient Olympic competitions were held at Olympia, a Greek city; to take part and win was thought a great honour.
Key idea 3 : Training centres — There are many training centres for wrestling and other sports; e.g. the vyayamshala of Jummadada and Manikrao (Vadodara), Kreeda Vidyapeeth (Patiala), Khasbag and Motibag talim (Kolhapur), Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal (Amaravati), Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Kreeda Sankul (Balewadi, Pune).
- Easy : What grows from team games? — Cooperation and leadership.
- Medium : Ancient Olympics where? — Olympia, Greece.
- Exam-type : Famous talim in Kolhapur? — Khasbag, Motibag.
In the figure: Benefits of sport.
What happened before Khashaba Jadhav’s Olympic medal? Khashaba Jadhav of Goleshwar near Karad finished sixth at the 1948 London Olympics. For Helsinki 1952 the villagers collected money, and his college principal mortgaged his own house for ₹7,000 to send him.
What happened after Khashaba Jadhav’s Olympic medal? On 23 July 1952 he won the bronze medal in wrestling, independent India’s first individual Olympic medal. On returning he held a wrestling event to repay the principal and free the house. He received the Arjuna Award only after his death.
Body-Mind-Qualities.
Hunting was not only for food; it was also seen as a game.
Memory clue: Sport = entertainment + exercise. Memory clue: "Mind + muscle".
Spot the difference
| Point | Ancient India | Ancient Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Games | Dyut, wrestling, chess, chariot race | Discus, chariot race, wrestling, boxing |
| Special | Mentioned in epics | Standardised rules |
| Place | Various | Olympia |
Practice questions
- 1What is sport?
- 2Why is playing sports important?
- 3Which qualities grow from team games?
- 4Which games are mentioned in ancient Indian literature?
- 5State the Greeks’ contribution to history of sports.
- 6Where were the ancient Olympics held and why important?
- 7Name two training centres in Maharashtra.
- 8List games in your school and write one benefit of each.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1A combination of entertainment and exercise.
- 2Mind fresh, body strong, grit and sportsmanship grow.
- 3Cooperation, team spirit, leadership.
- 4Dyut, wrestling, horse-chariot race, chess.
- 5Standardised rules and organised competitions.
- 6Olympia, Greece; taking part was a great honour.
- 7Khasbag talim (Kolhapur), Kreeda Sankul (Balewadi).
- 8Student makes own list.
Types of Sports
In rain we play carrom, chess at home and kabaddi, kho-kho in the ground. Types of games are made by place and manner of play.
Sports are of two main kinds: indoor and outdoor. Outdoor games are again divided into Indian and international.
Key idea 1 : Indoor games — Played in an enclosed space, mostly sitting at one place; chess, cards, gamesmen-dice, carrom. Kachkavadya/Chaukabara (Indian Ludo) is popular; Sagargote is played by girls; in Bhatukali, a doll wedding is held and the whole family joins.
Key idea 2 : Outdoor games — Indian outdoor games: langadi, kabaddi, atyapatya, kho-kho; also marbles, lagori, vitti-dandu, bhingari, bhovare, phugadi, zimma. International: badminton, table tennis, hockey, cricket, football, golf, polo. Running races are popular worldwide: 100 and 200 metres, middle and long distance, marathon, hurdles and relay. Skill-based: shot put, discus, long and high jump, swimming, water polo, rowing, mallakhamb, rope mallakhamb, gymnastics. Adventure: skating, skiing, ice hockey, rock climbing, gliding, car-bike racing.
Key idea 3 : References to sport in history — In the daily routine of Queen Lakshmibai of Jhansi there was an hour of exercise on the mallakhamb at dawn, horse riding and an elephant ride (from ‘Maza Pravas’ by Vishnubhat Godse). Mallakhamb and its techniques were devised by Balambhat Deodhar, physical trainer of Peshwa Bajirao II, who was inspired by monkeys playing on trees, according to Manisha Bathe.
- Easy : Carrom — which type? — Indoor.
- Medium : Mallakhamb — which type? — Skill-based outdoor.
- Exam-type : Ice skating — which? — Adventure.
In the figure: Four types of sports.
Indoor-Indian-International-Adventure.
Chess is not an outdoor game; it is an indoor game.
Memory clue: Indoor = sitting; outdoor = running. Memory clue: "Sit = indoor, run = outdoor".
Spot the difference
| Type | Example | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor | Chess, carrom | Closed space |
| Indian outdoor | Kabaddi, kho-kho, langadi | Indian tradition |
| Adventure | Skiing, gliding | Balance and daring |
Practice questions
- 1What are the main types of sports?
- 2Give three examples of indoor games.
- 3Write names of Indian outdoor games.
- 4Which are skill-based outdoor games?
- 5What are adventure sports? Give examples.
- 6Who is believed to have devised mallakhamb?
- 7Write the importance of Bhatukali in your words.
- 8Make a table of differences between indoor and outdoor games.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Indoor and outdoor.
- 2Chess, carrom, cards.
- 3Langadi, kabaddi, atyapatya, kho-kho.
- 4Shot put, long jump, swimming, mallakhamb.
- 5Needing balance and daring; skiing, climbing.
- 6Balambhat Deodhar (according to Manisha Bathe).
- 7Home play and celebration involving the whole family.
- 8Write under columns place, manner, examples.
Sports Competitions and Globalisation
We watch the cricket world cup at home on TV and millions across the world watch the same match at the same time. This is possible due to globalisation.
In the 20th-21st century globalisation naturally influenced sports. Matches of cricket, football, lawn tennis can be watched on TV in any corner of the world.
Key idea 1 : World competitions — Sports competitions are a worldwide phenomenon. Olympics, Asian Games (Asiad), Paralympics or Special Olympics for the disabled, and Cricket World Cup are held regularly; international competitions in hockey, wrestling and chess are also organised on a grand scale. In India hockey is the national game and cricket is popular. Competitions are held at local, city, taluka, district, state, national and international levels; those who perform well get good career prospects.
Key idea 2 : Sports economy — Fans spread worldwide significantly changed the structure of the sports economy. Fans watch matches for entertainment, industrial and commercial companies see it as a good chance to advertise their goods, and retired sportsmen get chances as commentators.
Key idea 3 : Dhyan Chand and National Sports Day — Under the captaincy of Major Dhyan Chand, an expert hockey player and captain of the Indian hockey team, India won the gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics; he was also in the earlier gold-medal teams of 1928 and 1932. He was called the ‘Wizard of Hockey’; got the ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 1956; his birthday, 29 August, is celebrated as National Sports Day in India.
- Easy : What status of hockey in India? — National game.
- Medium : What is useful for companies’ ads? — Popular competitions.
- Exam-type : 29 August? — National Sports Day.
In the figure: Golden era of Indian hockey.
Major Dhyan Chand was born on 29 August 1905; he was captain of the Indian team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and received the Padma Bhushan in 1956. Sources say 29 August was declared National Sports Day from 2012. (As per several sources; check with the book)
28-32-36 three golds.
Dhyan Chand captained the Indian hockey team, not cricket.
Memory clue: Hockey: three golds (28-32-36). Memory clue: "28, 32, 36 — steps of 4".
Spot the difference
| Competition | For whom | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics | Athletes of the world | Biggest competition |
| Asiad | Asian countries | Asian games |
| Paralympics | Disabled athletes | Inclusive competition |
Practice questions
- 1What effect did globalisation have on sports?
- 2Which big sports competitions are held regularly?
- 3Which is India’s national game?
- 4What is the sports economy?
- 5Write information on Dhyan Chand.
- 6When and why is National Sports Day?
- 7What opportunities exist for good players?
- 8Write the effect of sports competitions on your society.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Matches are seen on TV worldwide; fans increased.
- 2Olympics, Asiad, Paralympics, Cricket World Cup.
- 3Hockey.
- 4Structure of money, ads and jobs linked to sport.
- 51936 Berlin gold; Wizard of Hockey; Padma Bhushan 1956.
- 629 August; on Dhyan Chand’s birthday.
- 7Scholarships, reserved seats, coach, commentator.
- 8Student writes own observation.
Toys, Literature on Sport and Opportunities
In Diwali we make clay forts and place figures of Shivaji Maharaj and his soldiers on them. So toys remind us of history.
Means and equipment for entertainment and education of children are toys. Toys throw light on history and technological development, and on religious and cultural traditions.
Key idea 1 : Toys and history — Clay toys have been found in excavations; they were made by hand or moulds. Dolls are mentioned in ancient Indian literature; Shudraka’s Sanskrit play ‘Mrichchhakatika’ means clay cart. ‘Kathasaritsagara’ has interesting descriptions of toys and games, with dolls that on pressing a key flew, danced or made sounds. Wooden dolls of Maharashtra were called ‘Thaki’. The tradition of making forts in Diwali keeps alive the memory of the role of forts in Maharashtra’s history. Toys found in excavations tell of cultural contact between nations in ancient times.
Key idea 2 : Sports literature and films — Publishing sports books and encyclopaedias is a new enterprise; the history of mallakhamb was recently published, there is an encyclopaedia on exercise, and there was a sports magazine ‘Shatkar’. Some TV channels are exclusively for sports. Films on players’ lives are ‘Mary Kom’ and ‘Dangal’; Mary Kom was the first Indian woman boxer to take part in the Olympics and win a bronze medal, and ‘Dangal’ is based on the Phogat sisters, the first Indian women wrestlers to win gold medals in international competitions. Making a film needs deep study of the period and students of history are trained for it.
Key idea 3 : Opportunities in sports — History students can find opportunities in sports journalism; writing articles and reviews on the Olympics, Asiad or matches needs history. A commentator must know the history of the game, statistics, old records, great players and anecdotes. Referees can pass qualifying exams and work at district to international levels. Scholarships and reserved seats in government and private jobs are offered. Bal J. Pandit was a pioneer of cricket commentary; his well-studied commentary on Akashvani was full of history of the ground and records.
- Easy : Diwali forts — what memory? — Historic role of forts.
- Medium : Wooden doll of Maharashtra? — Thaki.
- Exam-type : Match commentator — must know what? — History and records of the game.
In the figure: Links of sport and history.
In 1938 Amedeo Maiuri found a small Indian ivory statuette in excavations at Pompeii (Italy); it is of the 1st century and is counted as evidence of India-Rome trade. It is called ‘Pompeii Lakshmi’, but some scholars think it is a yakshi. (As per several sources; check with the book)
Toys-Literature-Films-Careers.
Sport and history seem distant but they are closely tied.
Memory clue: Toys tell history. Memory clue: "Toys are evidence".
Spot the difference
| Field | Work | Use of history |
|---|---|---|
| Commentator | Live description of match | Records and anecdotes |
| Sports journalist | Articles and reviews | Background of events |
| Referee | Giving decisions | Development of rules |
Practice questions
- 1How do toys throw light on history?
- 2State the importance of the Diwali fort tradition.
- 3What is understood from the Pompeii statuette?
- 4Briefly write the description of toys in Kathasaritsagara.
- 5Give examples of sports literature and films.
- 6Why must a commentator know history?
- 7Write professional opportunities in the field of sports.
- 8Find the history of a traditional toy in your area.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1They show technology, traditions and cultural contact.
- 2Memory of forts’ historic role stays alive.
- 3Trade relations between India and Rome.
- 4On pressing a key, dolls flew, danced, made sounds.
- 5History of mallakhamb, ‘Shatkar’; Mary Kom, Dangal.
- 6Needs history, statistics, records and anecdotes.
- 7Journalism, commentary, referee, coach, books.
- 8Student finds by asking elders.