I have observed that in rural areas and forest regions, children spend more time outdoors, amidst nature. They discover simple ways to play games. They create play areas by drawing lines and making shapes, on the ground.
They use fruit-seeds as dice. They make balls from dry leaves, tree roots, and rags. Using bamboo, they make hockey and football goalposts. In this way, using various natural materials, they create their own worlds of sports.
Several children play enthusiastically without shoes, or jerseys. Children also swim a lot, in ponds and lakes. Honing this innate talent for
swimming
, with the help of training and resources available now, Anjali Munda, a 15-year-old daughter of Jajpur, Odisha, has inspired youth of the entire country, by winning 3 gold medals, on day 1 of the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games.
