GADCHIROLI

Chausat is a traditional Indian board game that finds its roots in Hindu mythology, where it was played by Shiva and Parvati, and is also mentioned in the epic Mahabharata as Chausar. This game is particularly popular during the Ganesh Chaturthi.

The game board is shaped like a large plus sign (+) and features multiple squares, with each player controlling six pawns. Chausat can accommodate a minimum of two players and up to an even number of participants. Players use dice numbered 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, and 25 to determine their moves, but the game cannot commence until at least 10 or 25 points are scored through dice rolls.

If a player rolls a 10 or 25, their pawn, known as a Songti, is placed on the board, but if a player rolls a 10 or 25 three times consecutively, their previous roll of that value is nullified. The game is played in two teams, each consisting of 8 pawns, totaling 16 pawns in play. The team that successfully gets all 8 of their pawns onto the board first wins that round.

If a team wins, any player from that team who rolls a 10 or 25 in the next round gains the right to capture the opponent's pawns, a move referred to as "forging." Special squares shaped like an X, called Chira, provide safe havens for pawns, making them immune to capture. To capture an opponent's pawn, a player must roll a 10 or 25 and then roll that number again on their subsequent turn. Ultimately, the team that captures all of the opponent's pawns is declared the winner of Chausat.

“Abak-Dubak” is a game similar to gilli danda, but instead of a wooden gilli, it uses a small coconut oil can and a stick about two feet long. The objective of the game is to score goals and make runs. The player whose turn it is must complete the designated number of runs, such as 50 or 100, to win a break. There is no limit to the number of participants in this game, making it flexible for all.

During the game, players must make runs by hitting the can with three strokes while reciting the syllables "abak - dubak - tibak." The further the can (typically a 100 ml coconut oil can) is hit, the more runs are counted using the stick they are playing with. If a player fails to achieve the required number of runs within the allotted time, their turn ends, and they are given the "innings." The player who doesn't meet the target has to leave the game limping.

Unfortunately, this game has become extinct throughout the district today.

The game consists of four roles: a king, a thief, a soldier, and a minister. The king holds the highest score, while the thief has zero points. Each role is represented by a folded card, ensuring that players cannot see each other's roles. One player tosses the cards and selects one. The player who draws the king's card then asks everyone, "Who is my minister?" The minister reveals themselves, and the king instructs the minister to identify the thief. The minister guesses by pointing to another player. If the minister correctly identifies the thief, that player receives zero points.

Mallakhamb is an advanced form of yoga practiced on a rope or pole elevated 2 to 10 feet above the ground. The term "Mallakhamb" combines "malla," meaning warrior, and "khamb," meaning pole. The poles are typically made of wood, such as khair or ain. This sport requires participants to push against gravity, making it quite challenging. In recent years, training for Mallakhamb has been offered at Hemalkasa in Gadchiroli, enhancing the accessibility and popularity of this unique discipline.

Middapalli is a remote village located about 30 kilometers from the Bhamragad taluka, where the roads are often impassable, especially during the rainy season. Kajal, who comes from a family of farmers with two elder sisters and a younger brother, completed her education up to the 5th standard at Lok Biradari Ashram School. Her determination, perseverance, and athletic build caught the attention of Vivek Dubey, a dedicated sports teacher at a school in Hemalkasa. In 2014, Kajal participated in the state-level sports competition organized by the Tribal Development Department.

Vivek Dubey, a sports teacher from Hemalkasa, took a group of selected players from the project to the Sports Authority of India in Aurangabad for a selection test. Nine students from Lok Biradari Ashram School, including Kajal, qualified for various sports. Kajal's sport was long jump. Under the guidance of coach Subbarao, she began training for 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening, alongside her schoolwork, keeping her busy throughout the day.

Kajal started participating in various competitions from 2015 onwards. In 2016, she secured the 3rd position in the state-level school sports competition held in Nagpur, and in 2017, she improved to 2nd place. Later that year, at the West Zone National Championship in Nagpur, Kajal won the long jump event. She also finished 2nd at the Junior National Open Games in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

Impressed by her performance, Kajal was sent to Anju Bobby George's sports academy in Bangalore for 2 months of training in 2018. She was selected for Khelo India that year and was admitted to the Khelo India Academy in Bhubaneswar, Odisha by the Sports Department of the Central Government.

In 2019, Kajal won the 1st position in the Orissa State Federation sports competition. The state also finished 2nd in the East Zone National Championship. Kajal participated in Khelo India again in January 2020.

Ku. Kalpana Shankar Madkami hails from the remote village of Gongwada, where she lives with her two brothers and one sister. Her parents are farmers. In 2016, she achieved first place in long jump at the state-level competition organized by the Tribal Development Department. While studying in the 7th standard in 2017, she was selected by the Sports Authority of India in Aurangabad. Since Maharashtra did not qualify for the national level, her family decided to have her compete for the state of Andhra Pradesh. That same year, she won first place in the state federation competition in Andhra Pradesh and participated in the Junior National Sports Competition.

In 2018, Kalpana secured first place in the Maharashtra State Federation competition and finished second in the West Zone Sports Competition held in Raipur. She was then selected for a two-month National Training Camp in Bhopal. In 2019, she participated in the National School Sports Competition in Punjab and also competed in the Inter District National events in Visakhapatnam in both 2017 and 2019, where she ranked second in the West Zone tournament in Rajasthan in 2019.

Kalpana's elder sister Saguna Shankar Madkami is also an accomplished athlete. While studying at Lok Biradari Ashram School, she gained admission to the Sports Authority of India in Aurangabad in the 9th standard. Saguna excelled in the javelin throw and also participated in state-level competitions in high jump and javelin throw while in school. In 2015, she secured the 3rd position in the javelin throw at the National level school sports competition. Since then, Saguna has continued her athletic pursuits, participating in various university-level sports competitions.

Ms. Priyanka Lalsu Oksa is from Mallampodur village and attended the ashram school in Hemalkasa until the 5th standard. Further residing at the Sports Authority of India in Aurangabad, she has participated in 800m running events at both the state and national levels.

Ms. Roshni Sadhu Majji is from Gongwada village. In 2016, she achieved first place in the round throw event at the state-level competition organized by the Tribal Development Department. After gaining admission to the Sports Authority of India, she transitioned to competing in the 400m running event. Since then, she has participated in numerous state and national level competitions.

Meena Usendi, a student at Lok Biradari Ashram School from Botanamphundi, has won a gold medal in javelin throw at the state-level sports competition for the past two years. She has also represented her state in the national competition for two consecutive years.

Lloyds Sports Academy (LSA) began with 30 children in a summer camp and quickly expanded, setting up a facility near LMEL’s Konsari plant to welcome more young athletes. Established by Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) through its CSR arm, Lloyds Infinite Foundation (LIF), LSA is dedicated to nurturing well-rounded individuals through the power of sports. With a team of experienced coaches, including former state and national-level competitors, LSA has become a center for sporting excellence in the region.

In May 2024, the Lloyds Sports Academy team achieved remarkable success at the Gadchiroli District Senior Athletic Meet, winning 35 medals. The Youth Team also excelled at the Gadchiroli District Youth Athletic Meet, earning 15 medals (7 Gold, 6 Silver, and 2 Bronze). This success highlights LSA’s dedication to identifying and nurturing local talent, developing sports facilities, providing top-notch training at the grassroots level, and promoting sports at all levels. All Gold and Silver medalists have qualified for the Maharashtra State Level Youth Athletic Meet, scheduled for June 2024 in Nagpur.

The initiative was conceptualized by Neelotpal, the Superintendent of Police in Gadchiroli, and implemented under the guidance of Kumar Chintha, the Additional Superintendent of Police (Admin.). The program focuses on providing support and monitoring the progress of young athletes at every milestone.

Twenty youths from the Maoist-affected Gadchiroli district, along with five officers from the Gadchiroli Police, participated in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024. This initiative, called Project Udaan (Giving Wings to the Youth), was launched by the Gadchiroli Police to provide these young individuals with the opportunity to compete in the 42 km and 21 km categories. The district has been facing challenges due to Maoist activities, prompting various efforts to promote sports among its youth. In the 42 km category, three talented boys achieved impressive times of under three hours, with two finishing in the top 50 and one in the top 100. 

The three-day mega event organized by the Integrated Tribal Development Project Office in Aheri saw the participation of 697 tribal students competing in various individual and team sports, culminating in a highly anticipated prize distribution ceremony. The winners of these events will represent their ITDP project area in the upcoming state-level competition.

This resilient and determined group of young athletes represented their Government Ashram Schools and Government Aided Ashram Schools across under 14, under 17, and under 19 sports categories during the meet. Separate individual and team events were organized for tribal girls and boys from these schools.

Team games included Kabbadi, Kho-Kho, Handball, and Volleyball, while individual sports featured competitions in Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Put, Javelin Throw, Discus Throw, as well as sprints and relays covering distances of 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1600m.