BAIGA OLYMPIC

Balaghat Tourism Promotion Council (BTPC) organized  Baiga Olympic game with the motive of showcasing  the tourism potential of Balaghat region in Madhya Pradesh , highlighting the traditional games  of Baiga Community and also for conservation of Baiga cultural heritage at baihar in Balaghat. This was first started  on 4th and 5th April 2015. Efforts have been put to make it a big success. The Event focuses on traditional games played by the tribes and the participants are not athletes but both young and old Baiga community people mainly from Madhya Pradesh. and  Chhattisgarh . the Commentary during the event is also done in the local tribal language - Baigani Dialect.The Games played at the Baiga Olympics include Bora Daud - participants run in gunny bags, Lipa Poti - in this baiga womens compete with each other in traditionally painting floors and walls of houses with mud and there were other traditional games as well such as Matka race, Gobardanda, Tritange race,  Bhalafenk, Dhanushaban, Relay race, Rassa-Kasi, Vajni game (kusti), Kababdi, Kho-kho and volleyball.The event is initiated by lighting a special torch. Balaghat Tourism Promotion Council (BTPC) conducts the  torch relay campaign throughout the district headquarters and nearby districts to promote the cause of tourism and Baiga welfare.  After the lighting, the torch is accompanied by a promotional vehicle  which is flagged off by Balaghat Administration. The torch touches various districts and returns to the venue at Baihar in Balaghat. When the promotional vehicle passes through the lanes of Baiga, it invites young boys and girls to be  a part of the Baiga Olympics. Essay, paintings competitions are organized in schools with theme of forests wild life and tourism. Wall paintings competitions were conducted on walls of community buildings at different locations. Baiga Olympic is a local event conducted by District Administration at Baihar Tehshil at Balaghat. The Baiga Olympic event is held between the months of January and February.