Hailakandi: Hailakandi deputy commissioner Adil Khan said rules have to be codified and institutionalised to promote traditional and indigenous games in a big way.

The All Assam Indigenous Sports Festival 2018 was held at DSA playground on Friday.

Inaugurating the sports event, Khan said indigenous and traditional games and sports are inextricably linked to the culture and promoting these games paves the way for strengthening cultural affinity, unity and amity.

Khan said, "I also played traditional games when I was in my teens. However, such games have either faded into oblivion or relegated to the backburner. It's good to see indigenous games being revived and promoted among the youths at the district and state level, thanks to the initiative of the state government."

He appreciated the efforts of the district sports officer to organise the festival within a short period of time.

Extending his best wishes to the participants, Khan hoped the festival will not only go a long way in promoting the indigenous and traditional games but also create camaraderie and bonhomie among the participants. "Play with sheer gusto and enthusiasm. It's your participation that will help promote the indigenous games in a big way," he said, amid cheers from participants, mostly school students.

Professor Monidhan Singha of SS College, Hailakandi, said, "I am elated that some of the traditional and indigenous games sidelined in the past are being revived and promoted by the state government."

Dwelling at length on the origin of polo, wrestling and kabaddi in rural India and how these traditional games have acquired international status, Singha said, "Indigenous games have to be patronised and promoted on a grand scale so that they acquire international recognition."

He said indigenous and traditional forms of sports and games help connect with our culture.

Demonstrations and competitions on different forms of indigenous and traditional games and sports such as pesi te ongpu (tug of war), kukurajuj (cock fight), kori khel (seashell game), banana tree climbing (smeared with oil) and one legged race were held on the occasion. Medals and trophies were given away to the winners at the end of the festival.