History
HISTORY of Tug-of-War in the Indian Subcontinent
There is no specific time and place in history to define the origin of the game of Tug of War. The contest of pulling on the rope originates from ancient ceremonies and rituals. Evidence is found in countries like Egypt, India, Myanmar, Cambodia, indicating the existence of the game. Essentially the game has been inspired from two circumstances, namely, the presence of cultivated jute fiber in the geographical area lived by a community, and that the same community was undertaking coastal shipping activity. Jute ropes were used to tie the wooden boats or string the canvas sails on the sailing boats.
Interestingly, in the interior of East India and in North Myanmar the game of Tug of War is replicated using green bamboo stocks which are very thin and supple.
The origin of the game in India has strong archaeological roots going back at least to the 12th Century AD in the area what is today the State of Orissa on the east coast. The famous Sun Temple of Konark has a stone relief on the west wing of the structure clearly showing the game of Tug of War in progress. To find this game included in a place of religious practice should indicate state patronage. The Temple was made under the supervision of King Narsimha the First, and his son King Narsimha the Second. Konark Sun Temple (Odissa).
Similarly stone wall murals in the Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia show in relief a tug of war game in progress. This temple is part of a Hindu worship complex and in all probability the people of Odissa as settlers had constructed it.
The game’s presence in the Middle East region is explained by the fact that the area on the West Coast of India mainly the cities of Bharuch, Surat and coastal Karachi (now in Pakistan) had flourishing industry in rope weaving. Even towns further south in Cochin were famous for rope making, but the northern towns manufactured their ropes from jute, sal leaves and cotton while those of South India, coir was used as raw material. These ropes were exported to Middle East shipping communities, and the game followed.
The game in India does not seem to have had a widespread interest until the militia of the East India Company discovered it when they were present in the opening of the 18th Century in East India. The Militia officers found the game interesting as it led to quick results and was manly enough for acceptance.
As the rule of the East India Company extended deeper on the Sub-continent and later by the administration of Imperial Crown by the middle of the 19th Century, the game of Tug of War also moved along finding itself regularly played in police and military camps. The game finally reached rural India when the Indians employed in the army and the police, superannuating from active duty returned home taking along the knowledge of this game to their villages.
In 1902, the Indian British Army printed the first rules of the game, which were enforced on the Sub-continent until recently.
The earliest evidence in modern India indicating the widespread interest in the game is found in pictures collected by TWFI which date back to at least 1902.
The rules framed in 1958 by the English Tug of War Federation (International Federation) have now replaced the old rule book of the Army and the Tug of War Federation of India is doing this work in India.
There is another historical reference from the Indian province of Manipur situated with the border of Myanmar (Burma)
On the sixth day of the Lal Haraoba (Pleasing of the Gods Ceremony) there is a ceremony of Lai Nonggaba meaning sojouring of Laiyingthou the Supreme God and Lairenbi,the Supreme Goddess.
One day after Lainonggaba, competitions in games and sports are organized in the courtyard of the Shrine. On this day, games like Mukna (Local style of wrestling), Kangjei (Local style of hockey), Lamjel (athletics), Sagol Kangjei (Polo) and Pou-Chingnaba are held.
The background of Pou Chingnaba (tugging of bamboo), now commonly known as Thouri Chingnaba, because of the substitution of Pou (bamboo) with thouri (rope), is described by W. Yunmao in his book Philosophy on Meitei Lal Haraoba. The tugging of the Pou indicates the competition between the heart and the mind. The women holding the bamboo at one end represent the heart and the men holding the pou (bamboo) on the other end represents the brain.
In the tugging of Pou, the mens side is made to win the competition to show that when there is a tussle between the heart and the mind, the brain representing men, always wins. This also shows that whenever the heart is arrogant, the brain can control it.
Tug of War game is popular in name of Insuknawr or Rod Pushing Sport is an indigenous game of Mizoram, a state in North-East India.
Tug of War with Bamboo (traditional/indigenous Mizo games )
The game is played by two players, each player holding the rod under his arm, as in the game of tug of war.The end of the rod should protrude for at least two inches under the armpit, and the centre of the rod must align with the centre of the circle.
In this contest, each player tries to push his opponent out of the ring, through the back or the side of the circle. If a player falls to the ground, or he releases Suk, he is declared to be the loser. No player is to throw his opponent off balance by pulling the latter’s rod. An expert player can skid or slide around within the circle, but the game or round is not won until a player is successfully pushed out. A round is considered as drawn if no player is pushed out of the circle. If all three rounds are drawn, a tie-breaker is declared, without any time limit, until a player is pushed out.
Playing Area and Equipment
A circle of 16 ft diameter with a straight Line across the circle at the center is drawn. Suk or a round wooden rod or bamboo rod shall be approximately 8 ft long and 2.5 – 3 inches in diameter.
British Indian Army
Recently the Tug of War Federation of India, in its relentless effort to add to the history of the game have been able to trace out some photographs showing the interest in the game by the soldiers of the British Indian Army. The oldest photograph in hand is dated to 1902, and another one to the year 1904.In1904 the 8th Rawalpindi Battalion,’G’ Company Royal Battalion, Delhi and Meerut Assaults, was awarded the Best Team in British Indian Army.
TUG OF WAR INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION (TWIF)
Ancient Origin
There is no specific time and place to pinpoint the origin of Tug of War. The contest of pulling on the rope originates from ancient ceremonies and cults, which are found all over the world e.g.; Egypt, Burma, India, Borneo, Japan, Korea, Hawaii and South America. The ancient Tug of War was performed in various styles. In Afghanistan, teams used a wooden stake instead of a rope to pull. In Korea, children clasped their arms around each other’s waists to form a living Tug of War chain. Team captains must have had a very strong grip linking the teams together with their hands. Tug of War was not only a team sport; in several countries a man to man version of Tug of War existed. The Canadian Eskimos still have a Tug of War contest known as “ar-saaraq”. It’s a Tug of War contest with the pullers sitting on the ground, using a short rope. The one who pulls his opponent over from his seated position is the winner.
Tug of War as sport contest
Later, Tug of War became a pure contest of physical strength. In Greece, the cradle of the ancient Olympic Games, Tug of War sport around 500 BC was practised by athletes either as a competitive sport or as an exercise in the physical training for other sports. In western Europe evidence of Tug of War is found in the year 1000 AC, in the stories of the heroic champions of Scandinavia and Germany, who participated in the so called “kräftige spiele” (power games). The Tug of War sport featured in competitions at the courts of the Chinese Emperors, as well as in Mongolia and Tur-key. In the 15th century Tug of War was a popular contest at the tournaments in the French chateaux and in competitions in Great Britain.
Olympic period
The Tug of War sport featured in the Olympic Games from 1900 to 1920. The medal winners during that period were;
|
Year |
Venue |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
|
1900 |
Paris |
Sweden |
USA |
France |
|
1904 |
St. Louis |
USA |
USA |
USA |
|
1908 |
London |
Great Britain |
Great Britain |
Great Britain |
|
1912 |
Stockholm |
Sweden |
Great Britain |
– |
|
1920 |
Antwerp |
Great Britain |
Netherlands |
Belgium |
In 1920 the IOC took a decision to reduce the number of participants of the Olympic Games and for that reason deleted a number of team sport from the programme, in-cluding Tug of War. In 1999 TWIF received provisional IOC recognition again, which was confirmed in 2002 into formal recognition in accordance with rule 29 of the Olympic Charter.
National Tug of War Associations
The discontinuation of the Tug of War as an Olympic discipline fortunately did not put an end to the Tug of War sport. All over the world Tug of War remained a sports activity. Within the Athletic Associations, Tug of War was still an athletic discipline and on sport festivals Tug of War was a popular inter-village competition. Within National Athletic Associations the Tug of War discipline, being a non-Olympic discipline, did not have the first priority. The Tug of War teams therefore felt the need to establish a separate and independent organization for the Tug of War sport. The oldest national association in Tug of War is the Svenska Dragkamp Förbundet, the Swedish Tug of War Association, founded in 1933. The example of Sweden was followed by other countries; in 1958 by the Tug of War Association of Great Britain and one year later, in 1959, by the Netherlands Tug of War Association.
Foundation of TWIF
After Tug of War was no longer on the programme of the Olympic Games, the opportunity to participate in international competitions had disappeared. With the foundation of National Tug of War Associations, the need for international competition developed simultaneously. The initiative to form an international federation was taken in 1960 by George Hutton of the Great Britain Association. In co-operation with representatives from the Swedish Association, the idea was brought into reality
TWIF Competitions
The first international competition of the new federation was staged at the Baltic Games in 1964 (Malmö, Sweden). The Tug of War International Federation, TWIF, participated with four countries; Great Britain, Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark. After the international competition in the Baltic Games, TWIF organised in 1965 its first European Championship in Crystal Palace, London Great Britain. From that year on, with regular intervals, European Championships were staged until 1975, when countries from outside Europe affiliated to TWIF, resulting in the first World Championship in the Netherlands. Currently TWIF organises World Championships every two years. Continental Championships are organised in the intervening years.
TWIF affiliation to International Federations
The Tug of War International Federation, TWIF is a full Member of the General Association of International Sport Federations, GAISF and the Association of Recognised International Sports Federations, ARISF. The TWIF is also a founder member of the International World Games Association, IWGA.
World Games
Tug of War has been on the programme of all World Games events. TWIF participates with three weight classes on the programme. World Games medal winners since 1981 are the following.
Year | Venue | Men | Women | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
1981 | Santa Clara USA | 720 | … | Switzerland England | Netherlands Switzerland | England Netherlands |
1985 | London UK | 720 | … | Rep. Ireland Rep. Ireland | Switzerland England | England Switzerland |
1989 | Karlsruhe Germany | 720 | … | Switzerland | Rep. Ireland | Rep. Ireland |
1993 | The Hague Netherlands | 720 | … | England Switzerland | Switzerland Rep. Ireland | Rep. Ireland England |
1997 | Lahti Finland | 720 | … | Switzerland Spain | Rep. Ireland Switzerland | Germany Rep. Ireland |
2001 | Akita Japan | 680 680 | … | Netherlands England | Switzerland Scotland | Sweden Japan |
2005 | Duisburg Germany | 680 640 | … | Netherlands Switzerland | Sweden Sweden | Rep. Ireland Germany |
TWIF Recognised by IOC
In July 1999 TWIF was provisionally recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
During the 113th Session of the International Olympic Committee in Salt Lake City, USA from 4 – 6 February 2002, TWIF has been granted formal recognition by the IOC pursuant to rule 29 of the Olympic Charter.
Recognition by National Sports Federations
A national Tug of War association needs to be recognized by its National Olympic Committee or National Sports Organisation as a requirement for affiliation to TWIF. As a newcomer in the Tug of War sport, the relation between the Tug of War Association and the national sport administrations is very important for the development of a national Tug of War organization. If required TWIF will assist in achieving the required contacts.
Organization structure
The management structure in the affiliated member associations of TWIF varies widely. There is however one particular similarity in the structure of the Tug of War Associations. Tug of War is preeminently a team sport, so the Tug of War Associations are primarily Assemblies of Clubs.
General Meeting of Clubs
The General Meeting of clubs is the highest authority in a national association. In some countries the association is subdivided in regions or districts, depending on the number of affiliated clubs and the geographic situation. A President or Chairman heads the national Tug of War association. The Annual General Meeting elects the Executive Committee, including the President
Executive Committee of National Associations
Management of the daily affairs of the Tug of War sport is done by the Executive Committee, when required assisted by Commissions. These Commissions are established by the Executive Committees to deal with specific items such as; competitions, judging, training courses and public relations. Regional Committees, where applicable, are in charge of the daily affairs of the regions or districts.
National sport structures
The organization of the sport in the various countries is not identical; mostly three major administrations are involved;
- National Olympic Committee
- National Controlling Sports organization
- Department of Sport (Government)
National Olympic Committee (NOC)
All countries have a National Olympic Committee (NOC). Since TWIF has been granted the Olympic Recognition, several National Olympic Committees (NOC’s) have recognized the National Tug of War Association. However, as it is up to the NOC’s to recognise a national association. Not all NOC‟s have accepted the national tug of war association. In recent meetings of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), the IOC has invited the NOC’s to recognise the national associations of Olympic Recognised Sport Federations.
National Controlling Sports organization
In most countries the national sport is managed by a non-government “umbrella” or-ganization. These non-government sports organizations have different names in the various countries, but are generally known as the National Controlling Sports organizations. There is a trend that the national controlling sports organizations are co-operating or even merging with the NOC’s
Affiliation to national sports organization
The affiliation to the National Controlling Sport Body is of particular importance for a national Tug of War association in order to become eligible for financial support from these organizations. However the significance of affiliation is not limited to the financial assistance only, the know-how of the national sports body is of great value to the management of national Tug of War associations.
Support from Department of Sport (Ministry of Sport)
In some countries the Ministry of Sport supports the sport either directly or renders financial support via the National Controlling Sports organization. In some countries regional and/or local authorities financially support the sport on regional or club level, especially through the provision of sports facilities and in the assistance to youth sport activities.
MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS
Please check TWIF website (www.tugofwar-twif.org) for up-to-date addresses and telecom data of national representatives
AUS | Australia | |
BEL | Belgium | |
BRU | Brunei Darussalam | |
CAB | Cambodia | |
CAM | Cameroon | |
CAN | Canada | |
CHI | Channel Islands | |
CHN | Peoples Rep. of China | |
CZE | Czech Republic | |
ENG | England | |
FRA | France | |
GER | Germany | |
GRE | Greece | |
HKG | Hong Kong China | |
IND | India Tug of War Federation of India | |
IRI | Iran | |
IRL | Ireland | |
ISR | Israel | |
ITA | Italy | |
JPN | Japan | |
KEN | Kenya | |
KOR | Korea | |
LAO | Lao-DRP | |
LAT | Latvia | |
LTU | Lithuania | |
MAC | Macau | |
MAL | Malta | |
MRI | Mauritius | |
MGL | Mongolia | |
MOR | Morocco | |
NAM | Namibia | |
NEP | Nepal | |
NED | Netherlands | |
NGR | Nigeria | |
NIR | Northern Ireland | |
PAK | Pakistan | |
PHI | Philippines | |
POL | Poland | |
RUS | Russia | |
RSA | South Africa | |
SCO | Scotland | |
SER | Serbia | |
SIN | Singapore | |
SRI | Sri Lanka | |
ESP | Spain | |
SWE | Sweden | |
SUI | Switzerland | |
TPE | Chinese Taipei | |
TUR | Turkey | |
UKR | Ukraine | |
USA | United States | |
VIE | Vietnam | |
WAL | Wales | |
ZAM | Zambia | |
MYA | Myanmar | |
SLE | Sierra Leon | |
EST | Estonia | |
ROU | Romania | |
COL | Colombia |
World record of Tug of War in Guinness book
The longest recorded pull is one of 2 hours, 41 minutes between ‘H’ Company and ‘E’ Company of the Second Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment) at Jubbulpore, India on August 12, 1889, prior to the A.A.A.rules.(Guinness Book of World Records.)
HISTORY of Tug-of-War Federation of India TWFI.
The game federation for Tug of War in India was originally established in the North Indian city of Ghaziabad (the then tehsil of Dist Meerut).in the year of 1958 by some officers of the armed forces. By 1978, it had gained some momentum, and the Federation moved the Tug of War International Federation for recognition. It was accepted as the Game Federation representing India.
In 1980, the fortunes of the Federation fell into despair, and a request was made to a Delhi based sports group, led by Gautam Kaul,IPS and Madan Mohan, to take over the management. Prior to the take over, the earlier executive committee had organized national championships in some towns in North India with indifferent success.
In 1982, the new executive committee after overhauling the administration of this Federation had it registered as a Society under the Act of 1860.
The new management committee of Tug of War Federation of India headed by Mr. Gautam Kaul, Asiad Jyoti Awardee of the 9th Asian Games in New Delhi 1982, with Mr. Hari Shankar Gupta, Youth Leader of Delhi and Mr. Madan Mohan (National Youth Awardee), took upon itself the responsibility of also organizing regular national championship for men & women in different age groups e.g. Senior, Junior under 19 Years, Sub Junior under 17 Years and open for all ages. These championships were initially limited to two weight categories alone. In each of the National Championship fixtures, an average of about 575 sports persons participated drawn from all parts of the country having their original membership in clubs, and then created into provincial teams.
TWFI affiliated with General Association of National Sports Federation India (GANSF)
In 1991, the General Association of National Sports Federation India (GANSF) gave its approval to induct the Tug of War Federation of India as its latest member.
In 1993 the Minister of Sports, Government of India, Mr. Mukul Wasnik formally released the new rules book published by the Tug of War Federation of India.
In 1998, the Department of Internal Revenue also examined the records of the Federation and the background of each of the principle officials of the Federation at the national and provincial levels and investigated their integrity and previous game experience. The Government agencies also scrutinized the application of this Federation for approval, and cleared it.
TWFI Recognised by Government of India
In 1999, impressed with the work that was being conducted in expanding the base of the game within the country, and the fact that there was a continuity in promotion of the game, which by now had an all India representation in practice, a move was made to get the Government of India to recognize the Tug of War Federation of India as the National Sports Federation which had been also instrumental in reviving this Indian indigenous sport . The Indian government accorded formal approval.
Sept 1999 the Indian Railway gave its recognition to the Tug of War Federation of India. The Indian Railways extends a 75 percent fare concession to players and officials of Tug of War Federation of India while traveling for participating in Tug of War events all over the country.
Government of India in its official recognition to the Tug of War Federation of India also agreed to provide for future, financial assistance for the promotion of the game in a modest manner.
Until the game remained outside the recognition of the Olympic movement there was no government support, or help from the industry to provide any sponsorship and yet this Federation managed to slowly and slowly build up its national infrastructure. In the attached map the India, we are showing the venues where the game’s National Championships were conducted to date.
This visual representation will also show the extent of control of this Federation at the provincial level in all parts of the country.
Introduced the tug of war game in neighboring countries to India
We have introduced the game of tug of war in some of the countries neighboring to India. New game federations have been established in Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Efforts are underway to create a federation in Bangladesh. Contact is being made with The Maldives Republic, Afghanistan,Iran and Bhutan. A game federation already exists in Pakistan. Bilateral visits of player teams have been made with established game federations.
TWFI Cup and Rajiv Gandhi Cup International Championship
In 2005 TWFI conducted the TWFI Cup Championship and Rajiv Gandhi Cup Championship in New Delhi in which about 300 players from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka participated.
TWFI is regularly conducting the Tug of War clinics and referee courses in India and South Asian.
TWFI officials, Mr. Gautam Kaul and Mr. Hari Shankar Gupta attended the International seminar held by TWIF at Minehead, England, on 5th May 2006.
10th South Asian Games 2006 at Colombo Sri Lanka
In the 10th South Asian Games 2006 at Colombo Sri Lanka, the Tug of War game was included as a Demonstration Game. This was achieved through the courtesy of the South Asian Tug of War Association of which India is one of the members.
pulvinar dapibus leo.
National Tug of War Training Center
50th Years of TWFI
TWFI President Mr. Gautam Kaul inaugurated the National Tug of War Training Center in the Shah Satnam Tug of War Club located in Sirsa, in the State of Haryana .
Mr. Madan Mohan attended the World Junior Championships and European Championship held at Minehead , England between 23-27 Sept 2007. India sent a game team to Macau to participate in the latest 7th Asian Tug of War Championships,2008.
TWFI Recognized by IOA
In July, 2008 the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) accorded its official recognition to the Tug of War Federation of India as the National Sports Federation for Tug of War game and IOA amended constitution in the AGM was held on 12th Feb.2011 regarding membership category of recognized membership withdown in AGM and There shall be no category of recognized members in IOA.
TWFI Affiliated with Asian T.W.F.
In August, 2008 The Asian Tug of War Federation, Taiwan, accorded its recognition and accepted it as the National Sport Federation representing India. The TWFI (Tug of War Federation of India) is also a full member of the South Asian Tug of War Federation, Nepal since 2000.
TWFI regularly publishes a newsletter in half yearly frequency for covering the activities of tug of war game in India and abroad. The tug of war is also played indoor on rubber mats in European countries and in Asia in Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan.
Started its indoor Tug of War games in India
In August, 2010, TWFI for the first time conducted the indoor nationals on rubber mats at the Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune,Maharashtra.
International Tug-of-War Referee/ Judges Training Workshop
In December, 2010 TWFI conducted an International Tug-of-War Referee/ Judges Training Workshop at New Delhi, India. The International Referee Mr. Anton Rabe, Treasure, TWIF, Mr. Marius Smit, South Africa, Mr. Chien-Wen Chen, Taiwan attended as instructors for the game. 74 delegates attended and qualified in the workshop from Srilanka, Nepal and India.
Tug of War game included in School Games Nationals by SGFI
In June, 2011 The School Games Federation of India SGFI, accorded its recognition and included the game of tug of War in the School Games National . The School Games Federation of India SGFI invited TWFI to conduct the game of Tug of War in School Games Nationals. The impact of this decision is that the game of tug of war will be extended as a choice in ALL the government & private schools in the country. This in physical terms covers more than a million students, boys and girls. It is huge boost for the game in India.
Schools Games Tug of War National was conducted for the first time in India at Madgaon, Goa from 1- 5 Nov.2011. The Tournament was played for Boys-560 Kilo and Girls-440 Kilo weight categories and under TWFI rules.
Tug of War game included in Universities National Games by AIU
In December, 2016 The Association of Indian University , accorded its recognition and included the game of tug of War in the Universities National Game under men & Women in Indoor, Outdoor & Beach Categories . The AIU invited TWFI to conduct the game of Tug of War in Universities National Games-2016 at Lovely Professional University,Phagwara,Punjab from 20-26 Dec.2016 The impact of this decision is that the game of tug of war will be extended as a choice in ALL the government & private Universities in the country. This in physical terms covers more than a million students, boys and girls. It is huge boost for the game in India.