[Assam] dhop khel

[Dilip/Dil Deka]

Wouldn't it be better if the news item also said something about the game itself - how it is played, what the rules are and the skills it takes? As always, there are many names - must be local celebrities.
  Anyhow, is there some one in the net from Jamugurihat who can educate us?
  Dilip Deka
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  From the Assam Tribune
   
  Rare dhop khel organised at Jamugurihat
>From Our Correspondent
 JAMUGURIHAT, April 25 – ‘Dhop khel’ the rare and ancient Assamese local game, patronised by the Ahom kings and played by the people with great enthusiasm was successfully organised at Jamugurihat on April 15, the day of Gosaibihu jointly by the Yubak Sangha and Mahila Samity of Sangiamajor Chuk village, Jamugurihat.

Organised at the historical Garumara pathar of the village, inaugurated by nonagenarian dhop khel player of Tezpur Umakanta Barua and attended by nearly one thousand people including well known cine and stage actor Bhola Katoky and a few dhop khel and players of the area such as Khargeswar Hazarika, Dhaneswar Hazarika, Rosha Kataky, Bongshi Kalita, Hemchanda Saikia etc, the game around great enjoyment, excitement and romance among the audience.

The old players became nostalgic remembering their good old days. The dhop ball was prepared by veteran player of the game Bongshi Kalita and the team led by another veteran player Hem Chandra Saikia won the game among great fan fare

The people lauded the efforts put up by the organisations for presenting such an old and forgotten game to the people, specially the new generation, who did not know nor seen such game. The game was organised as part of the celebration of Bihu utsov by the village. Dadul Borkataky and Bhola Hazarika president and secretary respectively of the Yuvak Sangha expressed that dhop khel will be organised by them in the years to come along with the celebration of Bihu utsav as people have enjoyed the same.