The stage is set for the 79th edition of the Kila Raipur Sports Festival that begin on January 30. However, the bullock-cart races, which made these games popular the world over, will not be organised this year.

Kila Raipur Sports Festival, India’s Rural Olympics

Addressing media persons here today, Gursandeep Singh Grewal, president of the organising club, Grewal Sports Association (GSA), said they had decided not to hold the bullock-cart races this year. “Due to the ban imposed by the Supreme Court of India vide its order dated May 7, 2014, sports lovers will not be able to enjoy this spectacular game in this event to be held from January 30 to February 1,” he said.

However, games such as hockey, athletics and kabaddi in addition to horse race, tractor-trailer race, lifting of ploughs, sacks and pulling of cars and tractors with hair/teeth etc would be a part of this sports extravaganza like before, he added.

Though the competitions will start on January 29, the formal inauguration of these games — popularly known as “Rural Olympics” — will be done on January 30 by state minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will be the chief guest on the concluding day.

Paramjit Singh Grewal, general secretary, GSA, said popular Punjabi artistes would entertain spectators during these games.

Meanwhile the Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry, Ludhiana, Inderjit Singh, has issued a warning against holding bullock-cart races during any rural sports festival.

Image Courtesy: Ritam Banerjee

Tags: Athletics, Grewal Sports Association, GSA, Hockey, Kabaddi, Kila Raipur Games, Kila Raipur Sports Festival, Rural Olympics