Health is one of Allah’s greatest gifts, and sports, on the other hand, assist us in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If we’re going to talk about the situation of sports in Balochistan, we should ask the stakeholders about their responsibilities. They are unable to deliver even the most basic of services.

The traditional sports of balochistan are noted for their unique techniques, culture, clothing, food, and fruits. Aside from these, Balochistan has a plethora of fun and enjoyable games, plays, and activities that are carried out and performed throughout the province, particularly in Makran. Hashti (choki), kapagi, nogadgi, setoki, ware, telkan gwazi, sache, matoki, hadoki, pochukan padi, chilili, ohe, tapagi, tarehe, sakhan kuti, tagari, and many other games are popular in Baluchistan.

Some famous sports:

Games, without a doubt, are the identification of a nation, however Balochi sports have been neglected when world-famous games such as cricket, football, volleyball, and other sports have arrived in Baluchistan. Despite the fact that they are played in every area of our province, these sports have gained more value and respect, and the identity of our traditional games is fading with each passing day.

Hashti:

Hashti is the most popular traditional sport of balochistan, which is a  summer game, and it is played during the day. Everyone wants to play this game, whether they are youngsters, teenagers, or elderly adults. This game requires four players, two in one group and two in the next. The game was held under a shady tree or in a (kapur), a type of hut with all four sides open and built in the home’s courtyard. It’s the kind of game where no one gets tired of watching it; instead, the viewers are enthralled by it and keep watching it until it’s over.

Nogadgi:

Nogadgi is another well-known game that requires a total of nine stones to play. Teenagers are engrossed in this game and give it their all. On sports days, both hashti and nogadgi are played in colleges.

Choki:

Choki used to be a popular game among teenagers and young people in Turban and Makran. It’s similar to Ludo and is played with four Choks constructed of bisected wood pieces. It was formerly a popular pastime, but it is now exclusively played in remote locations without electricity, internet, or television.

Gabdi:

Gabdi, a fast-paced Balochi native game played with one foot, is also in danger of becoming extinct. It was formerly a game that both boys and girls enjoyed. Gabdi, a very healthy and entertaining game, is quickly coming to an end, and today’s kids are unaware of it.

Cherbohi:

Cherbohi, a type of hide-and-seek game, was once the most popular among young children. This game is still played in some parts of Makran and far-flung villages of Turbat, but people worry it will become extinct in the next twenty years.

Night games:

Apart from these, there are numerous night games such as kapagi, ware, pochukan padhi, hadoki, sache, ohe, tapagi, and many others that Balochs play during the winter months when the moon or night is brilliant. But, sadly, these sports are not as popular as they once were among our forefathers; the reason is modernization; as a result of modernization, we are all preoccupied with electronic gadgets such as cellphones, computers, laptops, and other such equipment. They are the reason why we have gone to such lengths to devote our free time to playing these healthy games.

More use of modern technology:

Some traditional sports of balochistan, such as hashti (chokhi), nogadgi, cheerbohi, and gabadi, have been supplanted by electronic games, which are now being played by our youths with smart gadgets such as smartphones and computers, which is devastating news for all of us Baloch.

Conclusion:

Local, provincial, and federal governments have never sponsored traditional games of balochistan. If these games had been acknowledged and promoted as our traditional heritage games, things would have been different.

The responsible authorities are humbly urged to promote traditional Balochi games at schools, universities, and other institutions where students can compete and demonstrate their abilities in this area. Furthermore, the Baloch must recognise the worth of their traditional games, as playing is the only way for sports to continue or thrive for decades.