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Global recognition sought for 'Kalaripayat'

     Coimbatore: There were 900 martial artists from all over the world at a two-day International Martial Arts Championship here recently displaying their skills. The championship began on Friday (December 29). Players were from Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia participated in various disciplines of Karate, Tai- Chie, Kendo, Kata, Kumite and India's very own martial art, Kalaripayat. Iel Moses, Organiser of the event said the main motive behind this competition was to popularize Indian martial arts, which is considered to be the mother of all martial arts.

     "The main focus of organizing such an event in India is to generate awareness about Indian martial arts to the world level as well as the awareness of Indian martial arts to the other Indians. We are focusing on Kalari (Kalaripayat), we are having even weapon demonstration and competition in Kalari (Kalaripayat) for the first time," said Moses, organizer of the International Martial Art Championship, and President of All India Shitoryu Karate Do Federation. The competitions are held in different age and weight categories for both men and women. "I have come from Saudi Arab to participate in this event. I have qualified into the second round. I am looking forward for the second round and hope to win the gold medal," said Fibi, a participant from Saudi Arabia. Cricket is the predominant sport in India, hogging the maximum following, revenue and resources.

     Football has recently emerged as perhaps a distant second, fanned by the frenzy generated by the recent World Cup in Germany. Most other sports like field hockey, tennis, squash and basketball remain marginalised because of lack of support - government or otherwise- and a consequent paucity of funds and infrastructure, thought hockey boasts of legends like Dhyan Chand and is considered India's national sport. Indian contingents have been doing poorly at the Olympics and other international sporting events, barring a few successes in field hockey in the '60s and '70s.
-Dec 31,  2006

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