Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 30: The Department of School Education and Literacy’s decision to remove throwball, ball badminton and rope skipping from school sports events in Karnataka has sparked strong opposition from teachers, parents and sports advocates, who argue that the move undermines inclusive physical education and puts rural students at a disadvantage.

Mohiuddin Kutty, president of the SDMC Coordination Committee, has submitted a memorandum to V Rashmi Mahesh, Principal Secretary of the department, demanding withdrawal of the order and continuation of these sports as in previous years. He said they “strongly oppose” the decision.

Kutty said the removed games are among the most affordable and practical sporting options for government schools, as they require minimal equipment, limited space and little specialised coaching. He contrasted this with infrastructure-heavy sports such as cricket, tennis and basketball, which many rural schools struggle to support due to lack of facilities.

He added that throwball, ball badminton and rope skipping have ensured wider participation, particularly among students from economically weaker backgrounds.

He further pointed out that students have achieved recognition in these events at district, divisional and state levels, helping them build confidence, leadership qualities and teamwork. He said excluding them merely because they are not part of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) framework goes against the broader aim of holistic education.

Kutty also noted that throwball and rope skipping have traditionally encouraged higher participation among girl students, adding that the decision runs contrary to government efforts to boost girls’ involvement in school sports.