Surf, sand and sports

The Hindu

15-06-2025

The inaugural edition of Khelo India Beach Games organised in May in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu was a show of mixed emotions. The elation of victories paralleled the disappointments of falling short.
During the open water swimming event, which was held under adverse weather conditions, parents were worried and were waiting on the shore for their competing children to safely return from the sea. Their concerns were drowned in the cheers of local people, volunteers and supporters for the children.
The games were held on the blue-flag certified Ghoghla Beach near Diu town. Over 1,300 athletes from 31 States and Union Territories competed in six events — beach soccer, sepak takraw, pencak silat, open water swimming, beach volleyball, and beach kabaddi. Ironically, landlocked Manipur came out as the champions by the sandy shores of Ghoghla.
Apart from the competition events, the hosts also put the U.T.'s own sporting talent on display on the final day of the games, demonstrating agility with Mallakhamb — a traditional form of gymnastics; strength with tug-of-war; and grit with boxing.
The five-day event gave mediapersons a lot to deal with as photographers often had to deal with unwanted clutter in the background while looking for the perfect frame. Others would have to rival the decibel levels of booming speakers to get across to athletes.
The natural lighting of dawns and dusks made covering the games early in the morning or late in the evening incredibly interesting, especially the events of beach kabaddi and sepak takraw, in which players were sort of flying over the sand to score points under the rising/setting sun spinning its own web.
The Games had its moments despite challenges, and the beach sports community will hope that the competition augurs well for its future.
Show of strength: Athletes in action during the beach kabaddi game. The spirit of the athletes at the Khelo India Beach Games was both fierce and joyous.
Aiming for the net: Beach soccer teams from Kerala and Maharashtra fight it out.
Sparkling start: A decorated boat during the opening ceremony of the Khelo India Beach Games on the Ghoghla Beach on the Diu Island on May 19.
Grabbing eyeballs: A player from Maharashtra sends the ball back in a beach volleyball game.
Swift strokes: Athletes participate in the 10-km open water swimming competition.
Until one wins: Two women slug it out at the Pencak Silak competition.
Champion of the water: Renukacharya Hodmani, representing Karnataka, secured the top spot in the men's category in the 10-km open water swimming contest.
Fine balance: Athletes perform Mallakhamb at the opening ceremony.
With all their might: The Kerala men's tug of war team in action during the final match.
Radiant ending: Artists turn the closing ceremony of the Games to a celebration of the Union Territory as the competitive rivalry comes to an end.