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Langdi (sport)

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School kids play langdi during a inter-school competition

Langdi[a]is atraditional South Asian field sportwhich combines elements oftagandhopscotch.[2]It was originally played during thePandiyan Dynastyand called "Nondiyaattam"at that time. The teams alternate chasing (attacking) and defending roles in each of the 4 innings of the game, with the chasing team's players restricted to hopping around on one foot, and attempting to score points bytaggingas many defenders as possible within the 9 minutes of each inning. It is described byMarathisas a sport with a Marathi ethos.[3]

Langdi is considered to be useful in training for sports likekho kho,volleyballandgymnastics.[4]The National Langdi Federation received national recognition in 2010.[5]

Langdi in Maharashtra is a popular childhood pastime, it is described as the foundation of all sports. Suresh Gandhi, Secretary of Langdi Federation of India acknowledges playing langdi isn't financially rewarding. Stake holders have to arrange for funds out of their own resources.[3]Mumbai Universitywill be the first Indian university to introduce langdi at the college level, for female students thus revitalising the traditional sport. 5lakhfemale students study in the university in 700 colleges affiliated to it.[6]C. N. Vidyamandir, a school inAhmedabad,encourages participation in traditional sports such as langdi as these cost less money to play and are mentally and physically refreshing for children addicted to the electronic media and games.[7]According to Mahesh Vichare writing inMaharashtra Times,English medium schools, both secular and those run by Christian institutions, inMumbai,tend to neglect traditional sports like langdi.[8]Chauhan,national president ofKrida Bharati,has stressed that the organisation would endeavour to revitalise traditional sports like langdi in order to create healthy youngsters.[9]Krida bharati is an organisation that promotes sport in India.[10]According to Arun Deshmukh, recognition from the Indian Olympic Association is in the pipeline. This recognition results in facilities like concessional railway travel being made available, thus ensuring in growth of the sport.[3]

Expatriate Indianshave associated in the effort to popularise langdi in other countries, such asThailand.Video films of the sport being played have been prepared in order raise interest internationally.[3]

Names[edit]

Langdi is also known as Langdi Tang.[11]

Brief Rules[edit]

The rules of this sport have been standardised by theAkhil Maharashtra Sharirik Shikshan Mandal.[12]The field is a maximum size of 18 metres (59 ft) by 18 metres (59 ft), with the main playing area being a square of about 10 metres (33 ft) on each side.[13]

Langdi is a team sport between two sides, played 12 players a side, and an additional three extra players. A match lasts 36 minutes. It is played in four innings of nine minutes each, with the teams alternating roles in each inning. A coin toss is done before the game, with the team that wins the toss defending. The chasing team sends chasers who hop on one foot and try to tag the defenders. The chasers can step out of the ground as long as they keep on one foot. The defenders are declared out if they step out of the ground or commit a line fault. Once all defenders in the field are tagged, a new set of defenders enter the field from a designated entry zone, with the chaser required to go to the other half of the field before tagging the new defenders. If the chaser fails to remain on one foot, then they leave the field and are replaced by a teammate. During the first turn that a team chases, their chasers must hop on their right foot, and then in their next chasing turn they must all hop on their left foot. The team that tags the most defenders is declared the winner.[3][13]

Variations[edit]

House variation[edit]

In this variation of langdi, the chaser starts off alone attempting to tag all other players. One quadrant of the field is deemed to be the chaser's "house", in which the chaser may move using both feet. Once a player is tagged, they become a chaser themselves as part of a team with the first chaser. Once all players have been tagged, the game restarts, with the last player that was tagged becoming the chaser for the next round.[14]

Competitions[edit]

International Box Langadi Championship[edit]

The first-ever International Box Langadi Championship was held from 18 to 20 May 2023 inPokhara, Nepal.[15]

Langdi Championship (India)[edit]

The fourth National Men's and Women's Langdi Championship was held inChandigarh,in May 2013.[16]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External videos
video iconZee 24 Taas video, Langdi all set to go international.
video iconSemiNAL-final match of the fourth National Langdi Championship, played between Punjab and Karnataka, Punjab defending and Karnataka chasing, video at the Langdi Federation of India website.
  1. ^Chougule, Dr Sushama Narayan (2021-04-15).Contribution of Bombay Physical Culture Association to the Fields of Physical Education, Sports and Allied Disciplines.Lulu Publication.ISBN978-1-716-20897-3.
  2. ^Awasthi, Shailendra (2010-01-01)."Now officially a sport, Langdi takes giant leap".Indian Express.Retrieved9 August2013.
  3. ^abcdeVishal Karule.लंगडी निघाली परदेशवारीला!.Zee 24 Taas.
  4. ^Medhekar, Niranjan (2013-05-14)."PMC deals crippling blow to folk games in its sports policy".Mid-Day.Retrieved9 August2013.
  5. ^Phatak, Parag (2013-06-30)."मुंबईची लंगडी लवकरच ऑनलाइन!".Loksatta(in Marathi).Retrieved9 August2013.
  6. ^Andhale, Santosh (2013-07-25)."MU will be India's first university to introduce the traditional sport langdi to keep girls fit".Daily News and Analysis.Retrieved9 August2013.
  7. ^"Changing the game plan".Times of India.Archived fromthe originalon February 22, 2014.Retrieved9 August2013.
  8. ^Vichare, Mahesh (2012-08-19)."खेळांची 'शाळा'...शाळांचे 'खेळ'".Maharashtra Times(in Marathi).Retrieved9 August2013.
  9. ^"क्रीडा भारतीसाठी झोकून द्या: चौहान".Tarun Bharat.2013-03-09. Archived fromthe originalon 9 August 2013.Retrieved9 August2013.
  10. ^"Don't create fuss about 'winning WC for Sachin': Chauhan".The Times of India.2011-02-05. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-08-09.Retrieved9 August2013.
  11. ^Ghosh, Dr. Radha Rani."Traditional games and sports of rural areas in West Bengal"(PDF).International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Education.
  12. ^"The people: Amusements".Ahmednagar districtgazette.Government of Maharashtra.Retrieved9 August2013.
  13. ^ab"Rules | Langadi India".Retrieved2022-10-16.
  14. ^Brewster, Paul G."American nonsinging games".(No Title).
  15. ^Dolare, Rahul (2023-05-24)."Two Athletes From Pune Secure Gold Medal In First Ever International Langadi Competition".Punekar News.Retrieved2024-02-07.
  16. ^"महाराष्ट्राची अव्वल कामगिरी".Lokmat(in Marathi). 2013-05-19. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-08-09.Retrieved9 August2013.
  1. ^(Hindi: लंगड़ी) Also sometimes spelled Langadi.[1]