{"id":91493,"date":"2023-11-08T20:18:18","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T14:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/?p=91493"},"modified":"2023-11-08T20:18:18","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T14:48:18","slug":"sqay-martial-arts-makes-national-games-debut-hoping-for-greater-recognition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/?p=91493","title":{"rendered":"Sqay Martial Arts makes National Games debut, hoping for greater recognition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Goa Khabar:<\/strong>\u00a0For a lay person watching the sport for the first time, it is quite a tongue-twister. But Sqay, an out-an-out Indian martial art and combat sport that originated in the Jammu and Kashmir, is way more than that.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Especially for more than 250 athletes across 16 states who are currently in Goa to take part at the ongoing 37th edition of the National Games.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_91488\" style=\"width: 159px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-91488\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-91488\" src=\"https:\/\/goakhabar-com.preview.jikut.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231108-WA0132-149x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"149\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231108-WA0132-149x300.jpg 149w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231108-WA0132-510x1024.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231108-WA0132-768x1542.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231108-WA0132-765x1536.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231108-WA0132.jpg 797w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 149px) 100vw, 149px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-91488\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">#ADVT:37 \u0935\u094d\u092f\u093e \u0930\u093e\u0937\u094d\u091f\u094d\u0930\u0940\u092f \u0915\u094d\u0930\u0940\u0921\u093e \u0938\u094d\u092a\u0930\u094d\u0927\u0947\u091a\u093e \u0909\u092a\u0930\u093e\u0937\u094d\u091f\u094d\u0930\u092a\u0924\u0940\u0902\u091a\u094d\u092f\u093e \u0909\u092a\u0938\u094d\u0925\u093f\u0924\u0940 \u092e\u0927\u094d\u092f\u0947 9 \u0928\u094b\u0935\u094d\u0939\u0947\u0902\u092c\u0930 2023 \u0930\u094b\u091c\u0940 \u0938\u092e\u093e\u0930\u094b\u092a \u0938\u094b\u0939\u0933\u093e!<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sqay, popular for its emphasis on armed combat techniques, is often practiced with wooden weapons, particularly a pair of sticks called &#8220;Lathi.&#8221; The word &#8220;Sqay&#8221; is derived from the Persian word &#8220;Sai,&#8221; which means &#8220;club&#8221; or &#8220;stick.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Sqay, practitioners learn various offensive and defensive techniques, including strikes, blocks, kicks, and grappling moves, using the sticks or other traditional weapons. The sport also incorporates elements of self-defence and combat strategy.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_91351\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-91351\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-91351\" src=\"https:\/\/goakhabar-com.preview.jikut.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231102-WA0036-1-300x120.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231102-WA0036-1-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231102-WA0036-1-1024x410.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231102-WA0036-1-768x307.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231102-WA0036-1-1536x614.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG-20231102-WA0036-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-91351\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">ADVT :\u0926\u0940\u092a\u093e\u0935\u0932\u0940 \u0928\u093f\u092e\u093f\u0924\u094d\u0924 \u091c\u0917\u093e\u0924\u0940\u0932 \u0938\u0930\u094d\u0935\u093e\u0924 \u092e\u094b\u0920\u0940 9 \u0935\u0940 \u0905\u0916\u093f\u0932 \u0917\u094b\u0935\u093e \u0906\u0915\u093e\u0936 \u0915\u0902\u0926\u0940\u0932 \u0938\u094d\u092a\u0930\u094d\u0927\u093e 10 \u0928\u094b\u0935\u094d\u0939\u0947\u0902\u092c\u0930 2023 \u0930\u094b\u091c\u0940 \u092a\u0930\u094d\u0930\u093e \u092f\u0947\u0925\u0947.\u0905\u0916\u093f\u0932 \u0917\u094b\u0935\u093e \u092c\u0930\u094b\u092c\u0930 \u0915\u0933\u0902\u0917\u0941\u091f \u0906\u0923\u093f \u0936\u093f\u0935\u094b\u0932\u0940 \u092e\u0924\u0926\u093e\u0930 \u0938\u0902\u0918\u093e\u0924\u0940\u0932 \u0935\u093f\u091c\u0947\u0924\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0902\u0928\u093e \u092e\u093f\u0933\u0923\u093e\u0930 \u0939\u091c\u093e\u0930\u094b \u0930\u0942\u092a\u092f\u093e\u0902\u091a\u0940 \u092c\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0940\u0938\u0947..\u0938\u0939\u092d\u093e\u0917\u0940 \u0935\u094d\u0939\u093e..\u092c\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0940\u0938\u0947 \u091c\u093f\u0902\u0915\u093e!<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSqay is not only a sport abut physical discipline but also a way to promote mental discipline, focus, and most importantly self-confidence,\u201d said Disha, a Sqay athlete representing Jammu and Kashmir.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt is a very important part of the cultural heritage of Kashmiri people and many are not aware that the sport is currently played in 62 countries across the world.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSo, for us, Sqay getting recognition at an event like the National Games is a huge honour. On top of that, so many people have reached out to us and wanted to know about the nitty-gritty of Sqay. Therefore, it is an indescribable feeling for all of us,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deep Diving into the World of Sqay<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compared to other forms of martial arts and combat sports, understanding Sqay can be a task for an outsider. And Mir Nazir, Secretary General, Sqay Federation of India, could not agree more while explaining the sport.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-90915\" src=\"https:\/\/goakhabar-com.preview.jikut.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/345059998_194276443452193_7616246637763085377_n-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/345059998_194276443452193_7616246637763085377_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/345059998_194276443452193_7616246637763085377_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/345059998_194276443452193_7616246637763085377_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/345059998_194276443452193_7616246637763085377_n-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/345059998_194276443452193_7616246637763085377_n.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-90914\" src=\"https:\/\/goakhabar-com.preview.jikut.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/344915942_790444535804605_2288899076107171204_n-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/344915942_790444535804605_2288899076107171204_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/344915942_790444535804605_2288899076107171204_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/344915942_790444535804605_2288899076107171204_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/344915942_790444535804605_2288899076107171204_n-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/344915942_790444535804605_2288899076107171204_n.jpg 843w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBefore delving into the specific forms, athletes start with learning the fundamental stances, footwork, and basic strikes. These movements are crucial for building a strong foundation in Sqay. It takes years of hard work for an athlete to master the stances and strikes. It\u2019s not an easy sport at all,\u201d Nazir said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSqay is divided into two variants &#8211; one, combat event, or Loba (fighting) and, two, an Artistic event. The latter again has two variants, one without music (khawanky) and the other with music (Aerosqay). Moreover, the language used in this attack and defence game is Kashmiri, including the counting of points, with its translation available to non-locals,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Massive Boost to the Indigenous Sports in India<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nazir, a grandmaster himself and a monumental figure in promoting Sqay throughout the country, recalled the early days of the sport in India when athletes had neither access to proper gears to play the sport nor exposure to travel to other parts of the country to take part in regional tournaments.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s been a long journey for Sqay. There was a time, when we as athletes, really struggled to travel to other parts of the country, given the limited opportunities we got. I remember booking my own tickets by borrowing money from my friends and family members in order to participate in various tournaments,\u201d Nazir noted.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHowever, things are way better now. The athletes are getting recognised for their hard work. Even the infrastructure and facilities in Goa have been excellent. So, it\u2019s a huge motivation for so many young athletes across the country who are taking part in Sqay.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat said, it\u2019s not only Sqay but one must talk about the other sports as well that made their debut in Goa this year, such as Pencak Silat, Lagori, Kalaripayattu, Rollball, Sepaktakraw, and mini golf. All these sports are deeply ingrained into the Indian culture and we are thankful to the Government of India for giving them the ideal platform this year to shine,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Goa Khabar:\u00a0For a lay person watching the sport for the first time, it is quite a tongue-twister. But Sqay, an out-an-out Indian martial art and combat sport that originated in the Jammu and Kashmir, is way more than that. Especially for more than 250 athletes across 16 states who are currently in Goa to take [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25169,"featured_media":91494,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,155],"tags":[3794],"class_list":["post-91493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-6","category-155","tag-featured"],"read":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/25169"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=91493"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91493\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91495,"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91493\/revisions\/91495"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/91494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=91493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=91493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=91493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}