RATNAGIRI

Ratnagiri is a district known for producing prominent national figures like B.R. Ambedkar and Lokmanya Tilak, and it has also contributed significantly to Indian sports. Being primarily rural and dependent on agriculture, much of the population’s time is spent on farming and household work, which leaves limited time for sports. Despite this, non-indigenous sports like cricket, volleyball, and badminton have grown in popularity in recent years.

Traditional games such as Dhal Kathi, now played mainly as a Holi ritual, and Bailgada Shariyat, recently legalized, continue to be played with great enthusiasm. Indigenous sports like kabaddi and kho-kho are widely played in schools, with district and taluka-level leagues regularly organized. Families commonly play indoor games such as Housie, Business, carrom, and card games, while children frequently engage in outdoor games like Khamb Khamb, Pakda Pakdi, Bhurya Bhurya Bhurya, and Lingoche.

Bail-gada shariyat, or bullock cart races, were once a common tradition across rural Maharashtra, including Ratnagiri 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.

After the recent legalization, political parties and local influencers have begun organizing events across various locations in Ratnagiri district. These events have received an enthusiastic response from both participants and spectators, drawing large crowds to the venues. To increase their chances of winning, some participants even rent high-quality bulls specifically for the races.

Dhal Kathi, also known as Jhel Kathi, is a traditional game of strength and unity played in Ratnagiri during the lead-up to the Shimga (Holi) festival. As part of the ritual, a large teak tree is selected, felled, and stripped of its leaves, leaving behind only the trunk. This trunk, referred to as the Dhal Kathi, is carried by the men of the village to the home of a respected community member, the Mankari, where it is worshipped.

The next day, the trunk is paraded through the village in a festive procession with music, celebration, and community participation. It is finally brought to the GavDevi Mandir and placed in a designated spot, marking the beginning of Shimga festivities.

Traditionally, the event also served as a competition between different vadis (hamlets or neighbourhoods) in the village, where groups tested their physical strength and coordination by lifting and carrying the heavy trunk, turning it into a spirited contest of endurance and unity.

Khamb Khamb is a traditional game played in spaces with multiple pillars. Each player begins by holding onto a pillar. From time to time, players must switch pillars, creating brief moments when some are left unoccupied. One player acts as the seeker and tries to grab an empty pillar during these exchanges. If successful, the player left without a pillar becomes the new seeker. The game continues with fast-paced movement and alertness, encouraging quick thinking and agility.

Bhurya Bhurya Bhurya is an older team-based game played outdoors. Two teams are each given a separate area and a short amount of time (usually five to six minutes) to hide small mud pyramids within their zones. After time is up, the teams switch sides and have around 15 minutes to search for and destroy the opposing team’s hidden pyramids. Once time runs out, the teams count how many of their own pyramids remain. The team with the most surviving pyramids is declared the winner.

Cricket has taken over any other sport in terms of popularity. This is evident since one can find a bunch of cricket leagues that are fashioned like the Indian Premier League (IPL) such as the Ratnagiri Premier League (been played since 2021), Zunjar Premier League, Bhole Box Underarm Cricket League, etc. Many villages hold similar leagues. These tournaments are either played on an actual cricket ground, on largely plain farmland, or a makeshift small playground (fashioned like Box Cricket).

Volleyball is another game that has been recently popularized, especially in urban areas that are near the coast. A district-level volleyball competition is organized in Ratnagiri almost every year in which several teams participate.

Kabaddi has grown in popularity across Ratnagiri, with district, taluka, and village-level leagues regularly organized. These matches are typically held outdoors, and winning teams are often awarded cash prizes. Ratnagiri also fields both men's and women's teams in the Maharashtra State Kabaddi Championship.

Gyms in Ratnagiri have become increasingly popular with new centers opening in major areas of the city. Ratnagiri currently has 17 gyms in the district, the most popular ones being Aim Fitness, Stretch - The Yoga & Fitness Hub, Effort - The Gym, and Mirkar Martial Arts and Fitness Center.

Ratnagiri, bordered by the Sahyadris to the east and featuring hilly terrain in parts of the district, offers several trekking spots that attract visitors. Local trekking and mountaineering groups organize guided treks to these mountains, many of which feature ancient fort ruins. Popular destinations include Ratnadurg Fort, Jaigad Fort, Ganpatipule Mandir, Prachitgad, Sumargad, Rasalgad, and Mahipatgad.

The centrally located stadium in Ratnagiri city offers a variety of sports facilities, including cricket, football, badminton, basketball, and a gym. It is also a popular spot for morning walks and runs. Additionally, the stadium hosts several state, district, and local-level tournaments, making it a hub for sporting activities in the region.

Zore's Sports Academy is a leading sports academy in Ratnagiri, known for developing national and international sportspersons. It offers qualified coaching in a variety of sports, including yoga, skating, archery, fencing, weightlifting, powerlifting, athletics, wrestling, softball, netball, judo, boxing, and many other individual and team sports.

Ratnadurg Pistol and Rifle Shooting Club, established in 2015, offers expert training in air rifle shooting, pistol shooting, and rifle shooting.

Pramod Mahajan Krida Sankul is a large sports complex in Ratnagiri, featuring a spacious ground for games, an open gym, and a well-maintained walking track. It is an ideal venue for hosting major events and sports activities in the city.

Blackpot Pool & Snooker Hall, established in 2008, offers a premier space for billiards and snooker enthusiasts.

Dilip Vengsarkar, born on 6 April 1956 in Rajapur, Ratnagiri district, is a celebrated figure in Indian cricket, known for his elegant batting style and significant contributions to the sport. Growing up in Ratnagiri, a coastal town rich in culture and history, Vengsarkar was inspired by the local cricketing environment, which laid the foundation for his illustrious career.

Vengsarkar's cricketing journey began in his hometown, where he honed his skills in local matches before moving to Mumbai to play for the Bombay team, and later the Indian team. His career spanned 16 years, during which he accumulated over 6,000 runs in Test matches, establishing himself as one of India's finest batsmen. Vengsarkar's accolades include the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri, recognizing his contributions to Indian sports.

Ghulam Ahmed Hasan Mohammed Parkar, commonly known as Ghulam Parkar, is a former Indian cricketer known for his exceptional fielding and batting skills. He was born on 25 October 1955, in Kaluste village, Chiplun taluka, Ratnagiri district. Interestingly, he is one of the eight Indian cricketers with the longest names in history.

He played one Test match and ten One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 1982 and 1984, and was part of the Indian squad that won the 1984 Asia Cup. Parkar had a notable domestic career, scoring over 4,167 runs in the Ranji Trophy.

Zulfiqar Ahmed Hasan Parkar is a former Indian cricketer known for his role as a wicketkeeper-batsman. He is the younger brother of Ghulam Parkar. Zulfiqar played primarily for the Bombay cricket team and made significant contributions to domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy.

While his international career was limited, he was recognized for his skills behind the stumps and his ability to support the batting lineup. Zulfiqar often played alongside his brother Ghulam, showcasing the cricketing talent that ran in their family. Despite not achieving the same level of fame as his brother, he remains a respected figure in the local cricket community.

Shubham, a talented Kabaddi player born in 1999, comes from a small village in Chiplun taluka, Ratnagiri. His interest in Kabaddi began in his youth when he watched his younger cousins play at the local ground. He joined them and later joined a Kabaddi club in his village. There, he met his childhood coach, Jagdish Shinde, who played the right corner position, the same position Shubham now excels at. Shubham's Kabaddi journey began in 2014 when he joined the junior state team and later the senior nationals. In 2018, he signed with Puneri Paltan as a "New Young Player" and has played for them, Patna Pirates, and Bengal Warriors. With over 151 tackle points in the Pro Kabaddi League, Shubham is a rising star in the sport.

Aditya Shinde, Shubham's younger brother, developed an interest in Kabaddi at a young age. His father supported his passion, and Aditya excelled in both junior and senior state-level matches, even leading Ratnagiri district to victory in a tournament. In 2019, while playing in a state-level corporate tournament, Aditya impressed the Bengal Warriors, who signed him. He made his Pro Kabaddi League debut in Season 10 (2023) as a left-corner defender for the Bengal Warriors. In 16 matches, he scored seven raid points and 21 tackle points.