The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 22nd September 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Gold Hunt

Why in News?

In a year that witnessed India's national football team achieving remarkable success in the SAFF Cup 2023, the sport finds itself caught in a contentious club versus country-debate.

• The dispute between Indian Super League (ISL) clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has escalated regarding player availability, and a cloud of uncertainty looms over the composition of the upcoming Asian Games squad.
• The 19^th Asian Games will take place in Hangzhou, China, from 23^rd September 2023 to 8^th October 2023, which was originally scheduled to be held in 2022 and was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

What are the Asian Games?

• About:
  • The Asian Games is the biggest sports competition in Asia, held once every four years. They are organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
  • The symbol for the Asian Games is the rising sun with interlocking rings.
  • It is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
• Background and Inauguration:
  • After the Second World War, many Asian countries gained independence and Guru Dutt Sondhi, a member of the Indian International Olympic Committee, proposed the idea of Asian Games as a sporting event, where all Asian nations can be represented.
  • The first-ever Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951.
• Regulation:
  • Asian Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from 1951 to 1978. Since 1982, Olympic Council of Asia regulates the Asian Games.
• India as a Host:
  • India is a founder member of Asian Games and also the host of the first Asian Games.
  • The 9th edition of the Asian Games was also held in New Delhi in November and December 1982.
  • Appu, the Indian elephant, was the first mascot to be used for the Asian Games.
• 19th Asian Games Hangzhou, China:
  • A total of 40 sports and 61 disciplines will take center stage across 54 competition venues in Hangzhou and five co-host cities.
  • Competitions in archery, artistic swimming, boxing, breaking, hockey, modern pentathlon, sailing, tennis, and water polo will also serve as Olympic qualifiers, with Paris 2024 quota spots available in those nine sports.
  • The mascots of the 19^th Asian Games are a group of robots named: Chenchen, Congcong, Lianlaian.
  • The torch of the 19th Asian Games is named "Eternal Flame". The design was inspired by the Liangzhu Culture of ancient Chinese Civilisation
  • Esports and Breaking (Breakdance) are scheduled to make their inaugural appearances as recognized and official sporting events.

What are Esports and Breaking?

• Esports (Electronic Sports) is a competitive sport where gamers use their physical and mental abilities to compete in various games in a virtual, electronic environment.
• Example: League of Legends, Overwatch, Fortnite, DOTA 2.
• Breaking: Breaking is a style of street dancing that incorporates coordination, acrobatic and intricate body movements, style, and aesthetics.
• It evolved from the hip hop movement during the early 1970s and is the most widely known of all hip hop dance styles.

Note: The 20th Asian Games are to be held in Nagoya, Japan in 2026.

What is AIFF?

• AIFF is the governing body for the football associations in India.
• It was formed on 23^th June 1937 after representatives from six regional football associations met at the Army Headquarters in Shimla, India.
• In 1948, one year after independence the AIFF gained affiliation with FIFA.
• AIFF runs both the national teams as well as the various league and club level competitions throughout the country.