Following the successful revival of the ancient Pythian Games as the modern Pythian Games in New Delhi, the International Pythian Council and the Indian Pythian Council have announced significant changes in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. Bijender Goyal, Founder of Modern Pythian Games, and BH Anil Kumar, President of Pythian Council, chaired the meeting of the newly formed National Executive Board of Pythian Council of India in Chandigarh. Chandigarh has been selected to organize the National Pythian Games. The Pythian Games is an initiative to revive traditional art, culture, and sports, aiming to capture the essence of North Indian cultural heritage.
Bijender Goyal said that our primary focus is to identify talented individuals and specific activities in the field of art, culture, and diverse sports for the Pythian Games. These programs will serve as a source of inspiration for people around the world. They also announced plans for future Pythian Games, including the Para Pythian Games in 2025, the Junior Pythian Games in 2026, and the grand maiden Pythian Games in Athens, Greece, in 2027. The Pythian Council of India has initiated communication with the Greek Government and submitted a preliminary document. Highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the Pythian Games, Goyal emphasized that India holds the global trademark rights for the event. In line with the UN agenda to promote traditional cultural sports and cultures, the Pythian Games draw inspiration from Greek history, particularly the Pan-Hellenic Games. The Pythian Games represent a mixture of traditional sports and artistic activities, similar to the influence of the Olympics on the Games.
Chairman BH Anil Kumar said that India, with its diverse and vibrant cultural heritage, boasts a rich history encompassing various art forms, traditional sports, martial arts, and much more. The Pythian Council of India aims to focus not only on areas like music, dance, poetry, painting, writing, theatre, culinary arts, and digital arts but also to highlight traditional Indian games played in villages and talukas across the country.
PCI General Secretary Rajesh Jogpal said that Pythian Games are going to be a great opportunity for our artists and players. This is the first time that a global online and offline platform is available for artists. We are looking forward to it. These games are being hosted in the cities of Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali. We are proud that the founders of these games are natives of Haryana. We will explore all possibilities with all state governments through their departments for the participation of their artists and players. Presidents of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, Rajeev Gupta, Jatin Lal, and Anuradha Pal expressed their enthusiasm for these games.
The International Pythian Council has included cricket for the physically disabled and visually impaired in its charter and the format of 50-ball cricket, emphasizing the organization’s commitment towards inclusivity and diversity. Goyal reiterated that the Pythian Games aim to celebrate and promote important aspects of Indian culture, providing a platform for global unity through the spirit of friendly competition. The Modern Pythian Games, as an international event, strive to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the participating regions and inspire people around the world.