India gave birth to a variety of sports which later developed into famous games and naming these sports activities can take one on a traditional ride. One of these games is Yubi Lakpi. The name sounds a bit complicated and most of Indians might not be aware of it. It is a seven-a-side traditional football game which is played in Manipur, India. It can be said an amalgamation of football and rugby as it is played using a coconut just like a ball is used in rugby. It is also claimed by Manipur people that the rugby that is played in modern days is a modernized version of Yubi Lakpi. But still, it cannot be said that it is completely similar to football or rugby as Yubi Lakpi has its own essence.
Origin
Yubi Lakpi carries a tradition meaning and origination with it. It is associated with indigenous forms of Hinduism. According to sources, it was started as a ceremonial re-enactment of the celestial snatching of the nectar pot after Samundra Manthan, which is often considered the best episode narrated in Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata, and also in Vishnu Purana. So, this Indian sport has a traditional and mythological meaning attached to its origin.
On the occasion of the Yaoshang Festival of Shri Shri Govindajee, an official game is held at palace ground in the presence of royals, and some games also take place at the Bijoy Govinda Temple ground. The game has associations with royals and the ultimate goal of the game was to present coconut to the King or the head of the royal lineage.
How to play
Literally, this sports means coconut snatching which ultimately reveals the basic idea. Seven players line up on each side of the field. There is a referee and just like cricket a toss takes place but instead of a coin, a coconut is tossed by the referee. Player tries to carry the coconut to score goals whereas the opposing team tries to snatch away the coconut. The player has to approach the goal from the front and pass the goal line in order to score a point. Also, the player must keep this thing in mind that the coconut should not be held against their chest but under their arm. Ultimately, the player who scores maximum goals gets the award. It is an individual game. Fouls and rules should be clear to the players. The players are not allowed to kick or even punch their opponents, plus they cannot tackle the players who do not have the coconut. The authority of the fouls lies with the umpire or the referee.
Know more about the game
Before the game starts, the players apply mustard oil and water on their bodies in order to make it slippery. Also, the oil is applied to the coconut and is placed in front of the authorities or the chief guest of the event and at the end of the game, the coconut is given to the chief guest. The players wear shorts but not any footwear or shirts.
The field is about 45 meters long and 18 meters wide. There is a central portion on one side. The field is dried and rough but not grassy.
Present-Day Situation
As to many the name of this sport sounds new, though it is a traditional game. Many efforts are being done to revive it and also spread it across. In this era, many movies are being made on famous sports personalities, events, and even games. Such an initiative has been planned for Yubi Lakpi as well by the famous director Omung Kumar. He stated that his motive behind the creation of the movie is to push up the lesser-known game, also it will depict and trace the journey of the Indian Rugby Team and the shooting will commence in 2019.
The game is amazing in itself as it not only shows a different and minimal essence of popular games like rugby and football but also carries a traditional and mythological idea with it. Hopefully, with various efforts, the game could be revived and popularized in these modern times.
