Imphal, Jan. 11: The Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta Associaton, Manipur, has moved the Union ministry of youth affairs and sports to recognise thang-ta, an ancient Manipuri martial art, as a full-fledged sport.

The ministry was approached after the association held a meeting a week ago with thang-ta gurus (coaches) and civil society leaders on what needed to be done to make the indigenous game a professional sports discipline.

Thang means sword and ta means spear. The ancient martial art is still practised. Leaving aside its more intricate cultural form, the Huyel Langlon is focusing on sword fighting, categorising it as phunaba ama and phunaba anisuba (Fight I and II).

The association, along with other thang-ta schools in the state, was instrumental in establishing the Thang-Ta Federation of India in November 1993 and opening schools in different parts of India and holding regular national championships. So far, the Thang Ta Federation of India has organised 22 national championships and a number of international championships. Thang-ta has been included in the National School Games too.

However, lack of financial assistance remains a hurdle for this sport and so a decision was taken at the meeting to urge political leaders and parties to place the matter before the ministry of youth affairs and sports.

To expedite the process, an eight-member committee has been formed. Its convener H. Premkumar said: "We have been pressing the matter for a long time through Thang-Ta Federation of India. But we are yet to get any positive response from the ministry. We are committed to promoting thang-ta as a sport and shall continue in our endeavour."

He said thang-ta has attracted athletes from 31 states, including Delhi, and produced more than 80 referees from the state and other parts of the country.