PARBHANI

Bail-gada shariyat, or bullock cart races, were once a common tradition across rural Maharashtra, including Nanded district. The races were banned in 2011, but in 2017, the State government enacted a legislation to restart the races. However, the Bombay High Court stayed the legislation, and the Supreme Court initially declined to lift the stay, referring the matter to a larger bench. In 2021, the Supreme Court upheld the State’s legislation, thereby legalizing the races once more.

Similar games are played in Tamil Nadu where it is known as ‘Jallikattu', also known as 'eruthazhuvuthal', and is played as part of the Pongal harvest festival. The Bail Gada shariyats of Maharashtra resemble the 'Kambala' race, held in Karnataka between November and March, which involves a pair of buffaloes tied to a plow and anchored by one person. They are made to run in parallel muddy tracks in a competition in which the fastest team wins.

The sport is extremely popular in the district and farmers enthusiastically participate in it with their bulls.

Kushti is also quite famous in the district. Earlier, Maratha rulers supported Kushti by offering large sums of prize money for tournament champions. It was said that every Maratha boy at the time could wrestle, and even women took up the sport. During the colonial period, local princes sustained the popularity of Kushti by hosting matches and competitions. The game is played in a red soil pit. Nowadays, Kushti games are held during public events, and they still gather huge crowds.

Cricket widely remains the most popular sport in the district. Several local cricket tournaments are also held in the district at various places. Notably, the MBP League, Pedgaon Premier League, Wangi Chashak, Akruti Chashak, etc. These tournaments are usually played by using the soft tennis ball instead of the actual hard balls used otherwise. The sport also remains the most played and watched game in the district. There are several cricket academies as well that contribute to the promotion of the sport and provide the necessary infrastructure required for it such as the Youngistan Cricket Club and the Tulsi Cricket Academy. Stadiums such as the Indira Gandhi Stadium and the Parivartan Stadium are both located in Parbhani city and also host cricket matches. The Parbhani Cricket District Association which is affiliated with the Maharashtra Cricket Board has also played a vital role in the development of the sport in the district.

Football has been gaining popularity in Parbhani in recent years. A few local football tournaments have also been held such as the U-15 Parbhani Youth Football League. Parbhani also participates in the various inter-district matches and tournaments organized by the Western Indian Football Association (WIFA). However, the team hasn’t gained any huge success yet. There are a few football coaching classes as well such as the Zain Football Academy which contribute to the promotion of the sport and provide the necessary infrastructure required for it.

Established in 2018, the Indira Gandhi Stadium and Sports Complex is a rather new addition to the district’s infrastructure. The stadium has a cricket ground that is also used for football matches, a swimming pool, and various other amenities.

Situated on the outskirts of Pimpalgaon Thombare village, a unique sports academy has been shaping young athletes since its establishment in 2016. Founded by Ravi Raskatla, a former sports teacher in Zilla Parishad schools, the academy was born out of his passion for training children from rural areas. Determined to provide opportunities to aspiring athletes, he left his job to dedicate himself fully to this mission.

The academy operates from a simple tin structure, painted blue, standing amidst vast fields along the Beed bypass road. It occupies a one-and-a-half-acre plot owned by Shankarao, the father of Jyoti Gavate, a talented athlete from Parbhani.

Despite limited resources, the academy has become a hub for young athletes, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. Their dedication and passion drive them to pursue their sporting dreams, with some even traveling from neighboring districts to train. Through sheer determination and the guidance of their mentor, these athletes continue to push boundaries, proving that talent knows no barriers.