Berhampur: In a bid to revive and promote dying rural games, a sports competition was organised among girl students in Berhampur of Odisha’s Ganjam district on Sunday.
As many as 325 students from different schools and colleges of the city and its adjoining areas participated in various events including Khapara Dian, Kaudi Khela, Daudi Dian (skipping), Sankha Nada (blowing of conch shells), Thia Puchi, Basa Puchi, and Hulahuli.
Santosh Kumar Sahu, District Sports Officer (DSO), Ganjam, inaugurated the rural sports competition, organised by Madhumaya Panigrahi Foundation (MPF), a socio-cultural organisation of Berhampur, at Khallikote University stadium.
“Such competitions will facilitate the rural sports which are in oblivion and help the women keep fit. It will also create a healthy society,” he said.
Founder and chief convenor of the Foundation Hrushikesh Panigrahi, who presided the function and Sudipta Panigrahi, the chief coordinator said 16 girls, who were selected in the competition, will be trained to perform a dance ballet from October 8.
These top performers would perform at a cultural programme titled “Thia puchi naranga, Goda deita saranga” to be held on the occasion of Kumara Purnima at the government ITI auditorium in the Silk City on October 16, they added.
Manorama Maharana of Berhampur, who has earned a niche for herself in boxing at national level, was felicitated on the occasion.
Binayak Hota, Sukanti Patra, Manorama Maharana, Braja Das, Rabindra Maharana, Kedarnath Chowdhury who are the adjudicators of state were the judges in various events.