IT News
Imphal, June 1:
The First National Pythian Games 2024 is set to take place in Chandigarh this September. Dr. Md. Abdul Kalam Azad from Bangladesh has been named President of BIMSTEC Nations for the Modern Pythian Games, with Biswadeep Gupta appointed as Deputy Secretary (co-ordination) and In-Charge of NE India & West Bengal.
Bijender Goel, the founder of the Modern Pythian Games, has launched an organization aimed at promoting the Pythian Games within BIMSTEC nations. Dr. Md. Abdul Kalam Azad has been chosen as the President of BIMSTEC Nations for the Modern Pythian Games. Dr. Azad, a senior bureaucrat in the Government of Bangladesh, currently heads the Bureau of Non-Formal Education under the Ministry of Primary & Mass Education.
“This will set a new direction in arts, culture, and traditional games,” said Goel. Dr. Azad’s commitment to the Pythian Games is expected to drive the initiative forward, fostering appreciation for cultural and artistic excellence across the BIMSTEC region.
Biswadeep Gupta, a senior journalist from the North Eastern region of India, has been appointed as the Deputy Secretary (coordination) for BIMSTEC Nations and in charge of the Northeastern States of India and West Bengal. Gupta has been tasked with initiating the Pythian Games Council for the North Eastern States and West Bengal, ensuring comprehensive coordination and promotion of the games.
Goel revealed that the first National Pythian Games will be held from September 27th to 30th in Chandigarh. Artists and athletes from various fields are encouraged to register online at www.pythiangames.org from June 5, 2024. This unique national event will allow participants to design their own events, facilitating a diverse competition.
The Pythian Games will feature a variety of artistic events and traditional sports, including the revival of GADA YUDH, an ancient martial art, which will be demonstrated for the first time in approximately 5000 years.
The Pythian Games, alongside the Olympic Games, were integral parts of the Panhellenic Games in ancient Greece. While the Olympic Games focused on sports, the Pythian Games celebrated arts, culture, and traditional games, ranking second only to the Olympics in significance during that time.
In the modern era, the Olympic Games were revived in 1894, while Bijender Goel spearheaded the revival of the Pythian Games in 2022 with the support of 92 nations. He founded the International Pythian Council and Delphic India Trust to revive these dormant games globally. This quadrennial event provides a global stage for individuals worldwide to showcase their talents and participate in various activities, aiming to bring arts, culture, and traditional games into the organized sector and foster greater appreciation for these vital aspects of human heritage.