7.1 Importance of Sports
Why Sports Matter: Sports are a mix of fun and physical exercise, helping us stay healthy and happy.
Benefits:
- Mental Health: Playing games helps us relax, reduces stress, and refreshes our minds.
- Physical Health: Games with physical activity build strong bodies and improve fitness.
- Personal Growth: Sports teach courage, determination, and sportsmanship.
- Teamwork: Games played in groups develop cooperation, team spirit, and leadership skills.
7.2 Types of Sports
Sports are divided into two main categories: Indoor Games and Outdoor Games.
Indoor Games
Played in a closed space, often sitting in one place.
Examples:
- Chess: A strategy game played on a board.
- Card Games: Games using playing cards.
- Carom: A board game where players flick discs.
Indian Games:
- Kachkavadya/Chaukabara: Similar to Indian Ludo, popular among all ages.
- Sagargote: A game played with seeds or stones, mostly by girls.
- Bhatukali: A pretend-play game (playing house), often involving mock weddings of dolls, enjoyed by families.
Outdoor Games
Played outside, requiring more physical activity.
Divided into:
Indian Games:
- Langadi: A hopping game.
- Kabaddi: A contact sport involving tagging opponents.
- Atyapatya: A traditional running and tagging game.
- Kho-kho: A tag-based team game.
- Other popular games: Marbles, Lagori, Vitti-Dandu (Gilli-Danda), Bhingari (whorls), Bhovare (tops), Phugadi, Zimma.
International Games:
- Badminton, Table Tennis, Hockey, Cricket, Football, Golf, Polo.
Running Races:
- Sprints: Short races (100m, 200m).
- Middle and Long-Distance Races: Longer races, including Marathon.
- Hurdles and Relay Races: Races with obstacles or team passing.
Physical Skill-Based Sports:
- Mallakhamb: A traditional Indian sport involving gymnastics on a pole.
- Rope Mallakhamb, Gymnastics, Shot Put, Discus Throw, Long Jump, High Jump.
- Water Sports: Swimming, Water Polo, Rowing.
Adventurous Games:
- Require balancing skills: Ice Skating, Skiing, Ice Hockey.
- High-energy activities: Rock-Climbing, Gliding, Auto Racing.
Sports Competitions
Organized at local, state, national, and international levels.
Major events:
- Olympics, Asian Games (Asiad), Paralympics, Cricket World Cup.
- Competitions for Hockey, Wrestling, Chess, etc.
Hockey is India’s national game; Cricket is very popular.
National Sports Day: Celebrated on August 29, the birthday of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, known as the “Wizard of Hockey.”
- He led India to Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936 and was awarded the Padmabhushan in 1956.
7.3 Globalisation of Sports
Sports have become global due to technology and media in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Impact:
- Fans worldwide can watch international matches (e.g., cricket, football, tennis) on TV.
- Example: India’s Cricket World Cup win was enjoyed by fans globally.
Sports Economy:
- Fans drive the economy by watching matches.
- Companies use sports to advertise products.
- Retired players work as commentators, adding to the sports industry.
7.4 Game Materials and Toys
Toys: Items used for children’s entertainment and education.
Historical Evidence:
- Clay Toys: Found in archaeological digs, made by hand or with moulds.
- Dolls: Mentioned in ancient Indian texts like Mrichchhakatika (a Sanskrit play meaning “clay cart”).
- Kathasaritsagara: Describes flying, dancing, and sound-making dolls.
Regional Doll-Making:
- In Maharashtra, wooden dolls are called Thaki.
- Other regions in India have their own doll-making traditions with local names.
7.5 Toys and History
Toys reveal information about history, technology, and culture.
Examples:
- Diwali Fort Models in Maharashtra: Made with clay figures of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, soldiers, and animals, keeping the history of forts alive.
- Ivory Doll in Pompeii: Found in Italy (1st century C.E.), shows ancient trade between India and Rome.
Toys reflect religious, cultural traditions, and international connections.
7.6 Literature and Movies on Sports
Literature:
- Books and encyclopaedias on sports are growing.
- Example: A book on Mallakhamb history and an exercise encyclopaedia.
- Shatkar: A sports magazine published earlier.
- English sports literature is widely available.
Movies:
- Sports-based films like Mary Kom (about the first Indian female boxer to win an Olympic bronze) and Dangal (about the Phogat sisters, India’s first female wrestlers to win international gold).
- Making such movies requires researching the historical period, language, clothing, and social life.
Role of History: Knowledge of sports history is essential for writing articles, books, or scripts for sports media.
7.7 Sports and Professional Opportunities
Connection with History:
- Sports and history are closely linked, offering career opportunities for history students.
- Sports Journalism: Writing articles or reviews about events like the Olympics or national matches requires historical knowledge.
- Commentators: Need to know the history, statistics, records, and stories of the sport and players.
- Example: Bal J. Pandit, India’s first cricket commentator, made broadcasts entertaining with historical details.
Other Careers:
- Live Telecasts: Professionals track and record sports broadcasts for 24/7 sports channels.
- Referees: Trained and qualified referees work at various levels (district to international).
Support for Sports:
- Government and private sectors promote sports with scholarships and job reservations for sportspersons.
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