Dhopkhel- The Dying sport of Assam (Traditional games and Sports)

One of the traditional sports of Assam, Dhoopkhel or Dhopkhel used to be a game watched by the royal families and friends. Sadly, the game is no longer popular and is barely familiar to the current generation.

Dhopkhel is a traditional team sport from Assam. Image Source: Chase Your Sport

There are many things which comes to mind when you think of Assam. From the gamusa to the one horned rhino (Gaur), Assam has many identity markers be it in food, clothing, and culture. Yet, when we thing about the traditional games of this north-eastern region we tend to hesitate. It is not that Assam does not have its own traditional games. But in the age of Dhoni, Kohli, Messi and Ronaldo, the young generations of the Assam have slowly become detached from its traditional games and sports.

Such is the tragedy of Dhopkhel or Dhoopkhel, an indigenous team sport of Assam which supposedly originated during the Ahom times. Dhopkhel matches used to be conducted under the patronage of the Ahom rulers. The game is played seasonally and was particularly associated with Rongali Bihu, which is also the Assamese New Year.

The name Dhopkhel is derived from the word dhop, which is the rubber ball used by the players in the game. The game involves two teams, each having 11 members, much like the game of football.

Dhopkhel appears to be similar to several team sports, including rugby, American football, and dodgeball. The Dhopkhel players need to throw the ball in the opponent's court to score a goal. If the player fails to throw the ball in the opponent's court, they have to throw it again.

The player who catches the throw gets a chance to stand on the gher of the court and throw the dhop to the opposition's katoni (one standing on the opposite end). The rules of the game are quite complicated which makes Dhopkhel much more interesting. The players of Dhopkhel need to have high stamina, an athletic spirit and a good physique.

Dhopkhel was a popular sport under the Ahom rulers. Image Source: The Sports Lite

It is believed that the game of Dhopkhel thrived under the patronage of the Ahom Kings. This makes Dhopkhel one of the oldest games of northeast.

Sadly, we don’t find many people playing this game at present certainly not in the urban areas. That being said, it is not that Assamese kids are not athletic or ignorant towards sports. But they are more familiar with global games like football, cricket, basketball etc., while neglecting authentic regional sports like Dhopkhel. Recently however, the state government and other concerned parties have been attempting to revive these indigenous games. In 2020, the NSS in collaboration with University Sports included Dhopkhel under its ‘ Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ programme. Perhaps, with time, this dying traditional sport can revived to its former glory once again.

SM CAPTION:

One of the traditional sports of Assam, Dhoopkhel or Dhopkhel used to be a game watched by the royal families and friends. Sadly, the game is no longer popular and is barely familiar to the current generation.

Reference links:

https://www.chaseyoursport.com/Indian-Sports/Dhopkhel-the-Indigenous-Game-of-Assam/1141

https://www.indianetzone.com/1/dhop.htm

https://thesportslite.com/forever-facts/dhopkhel-indigenous-game-of-assam/