Sports in Tirap district are quite popular among the tribal people. The various sports of Tirap district include Kiko-Khoam, Sakchin Tam and Jaam. Among them the most popular is the Kiko-Khoam that means stilt walk. This game of the district is very popular among the youths and is specifically meant for the men folks. Kiko Khoam is the game basically played by the lower belt Nocte tribe of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Interestingly, the upper belt Nocte tribe people call this game Daki-Ko. For playing this game, the branches of bamboo are used as a foot hold. When a person mounts on the foothold, he balances himself and walks. In this game, the level of potentiality of the players of balancing on two pieces of bamboo above the ground is analyzed.
There is no specific season for playing the game of Kiko Khoam, however, the players prefer the winter season. There is no association of the game with any ritual or festival. This is chiefly a game to test the level of balance that an individual has. As a part of this sport, sometimes fights are organised among the players where each player hits the other and tries to get the opponent player down while still balancing on the bamboo. One who gets dismounted as a result of the strike is declared as the looser. Another game includes jumping with one bamboo on single leg. The players jump with only single stick on one leg. The player who performs the maximum jump is declared the winner. Moreover, the sport of Kiko Khoam is considered to be the legacy from their forefathers. Further, this sport has been the most popular amongst the youths till date.
In Arunachal Pradesh, there are various sports that are played by the Wancho tribe of the Tirap District. Sakchin Tam is one such popular sport that literally means `arm grip.` This is very popular among the men folk. In general, this sport is played by a youth when he attains maturity. Normally this is an event to measure strength of an individual. The sport of Sakchin Tam also analyzes the strength, force and gripping capacity of the individuals. In this sport, two individuals hold a piece of wooden stick close to each other as like arm wrestling and tries to grab the stick by applying force. Finally, the one who is able to possess the stick after certain period is declared as the winner. Interestingly, like the game of Kiko Khoam, in this game too there is no connection with any kind of ritual or festival. Generally, this game is being played four to five days before the Oriah festival of the Wanchos.
Another most popular game of the Tirap district is Jaam. Mostly the men folks play it. Jaam means wrestling and it is played by the Wancho tribe. This game is almost similar to that of Sakchin Tam. It puts to test the level of one`s power, patience and stamina. In this game, two individuals try to dominate each other by applying tremendous force or certain techniques. The wrestling continues till one throw the rival and makes him fall on the ground. There is no specific occasion for conducting Jaam.
The people with immense enthusiasm and positive energy play the sports of Tirap district.
