Introduction of TWFI

The game federation for Tug of War in India was originally established in the North Indian city of Ghaziabad (the then tehsil of Dist Meerut).in the year of 1958 by some officers of the armed forces. By 1978, it had gained some momentum, and the Federation moved the Tug of War International Federation for recognition. It was accepted as the Game Federation representing India.

In 1980, the fortunes of the Federation fell into despair, and a request was made to a Delhi based sports group, led by Gautam Kaul,IPS and Madan Mohan, to take over the management. Prior to the take over, the earlier executive committee had organized national championships in some towns in North India with indifferent success.

In 1982, the new executive committee after overhauling the administration of this Federation had it registered as a Society under the Act of 1860.

The new management committee of Tug of War Federation of India headed by Mr. Gautam Kaul, Asiad Jyoti Awardee of the 9th Asian Games in New Delhi 1982, with Mr. Hari Shankar Gupta, Youth Leader of Delhi and Mr. Madan Mohan (National Youth Awardee), took upon itself the responsibility of also organizing regular national championship for men & women in different age groups e.g. Senior, Junior under 19 Years, Sub Junior under 17 Years and open for all ages. These championships were initially limited to two weight categories alone. In each of the National Championship fixtures, an average of about 575 sports persons participated drawn from all parts of the country having their original membership in clubs, and then created into provincial teams

TWFI affiliated with General Association of National Sports Federation India (GANSF)

In 1991, the General Association of National Sports Federation India (GANSF) gave its approval to induct the Tug of War Federation of India as its latest member.

In 1993 the Minister of Sports, Government of India, Mr. Mukul Wasnik formally released the new rules book published by the Tug of War Federation of India.

In 1998, the Department of Internal Revenue also examined the records of the Federation and the background of each of the principle officials of the Federation at the national and provincial levels and investigated their integrity and previous game experience. The Government agencies also scrutinized the application of this Federation for approval, and cleared it.

TWFI Recognised by Government of India

In 1999, impressed with the work that was being conducted in expanding the base of the game within the country, and the fact that there was a continuity in promotion of the game, which by now had an all India representation in practice, a move was made to get the Government of India to recognize the Tug of War Federation of India as the National Sports Federation which had been also instrumental in reviving this Indian indigenous sport. The Indian government accorded formal approval.

Sept 1999 the Indian Railway gave its recognition to the Tug of War Federation of India. The Indian Railways extends a 75 percent fare concession to players and officials of Tug of War Federation of India while traveling for participating in Tug of War events all over the country.

Government of India in its official recognition to the Tug of War Federation of India also agreed to provide for future, financial assistance for the promotion of the game in a modest manner.

Until the game remained outside the recognition of the Olympic movement there was no government support, or help from the industry to provide any sponsorship and yet this Federation managed to slowly and slowly build up its national infrastructure. In the attached map the India, we are showing the venues where the game's National Championships were conducted to date.

This visual representation will also show the extent of control of this Federation at the provincial level in all parts of the country.

Introduced the tug of war game in neighboring countries to India

We have introduced the game of tug of war in some of the countries neighboring to India. New game federations have been established in Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Efforts are underway to create a federation in Bangladesh. Contact is being made with The Maldives Republic, Afghanistan, Iran and Bhutan. A game federation already exists in Pakistan. Bilateral visits of player teams have been made with established game federations.

TWFI Cup and Rajiv Gandhi Cup International Championship

In 2005 TWFI conducted the TWFI Cup Championship and Rajiv Gandhi Cup Championship in New Delhi in which about 300 players from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka participated.

TWFI is regularly conducting the Tug of War clinics and referee courses in India and South Asian.

TWFI officials, Mr. Gautam Kaul and Mr. Hari Shankar Gupta attended the International seminar held by TWIF at Minehead, England, on 5th May 2006.

10th South Asian Games 2006 at Colombo Sri Lanka

In the 10th South Asian Games 2006 at Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Tug of War game was included as a Demonstration Game. This was achieved through the courtesy of the South Asian Tug of War Association of which India is one of the members

National Tug of War Training Center

TWFI President Mr. Gautam Kaul inaugurated the National Tug of War Training Center in the Shah Satnam Tug of War Club located in Sirsa, in the State of Haryana.

Mr. Madan Mohan attended the World Junior Championships and European Championship held at Minehead , England between 23-27 Sept 2007. India sent a game team to Macau to participate in the latest 7th Asian Tug of War Championships,2008.

50th Years of TWFI

In 2008, Tug of War Federation of India completed its 50 years of service to the game. On this occasion more than 150 district in the country conducted Tug of war game events

TWFI Recognised by IOA

In July, 2008 the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) accorded its official recognition to the Tug of War Federation of India as the National Sports Federation for Tug of War game.

TWFI Affiliated with Asian T.W.F.

In August, 2008 The Asian Tug of War Federation, Taiwan, accorded its recognition and accepted it as the National Sport Federation representing India. The TWFI (Tug of War Federation of India) is also a full member of the South Asian Tug of War Federation, Nepal since 2000.

TWFI regularly publishes a newsletter in half yearly frequency for covering the activities of tug of war game in India and abroad. The tug of war is also played indoor on rubber mats in European countries and in Asia in Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan.

Started its indoor Tug of War games in India

In August, 2010, TWFI for the first time conducted the indoor nationals on rubber mats at the Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune,Maharashtra.

International Tug-of-War Referee/ Judges Training Workshop

In December, 2010 TWFI conducted an International Tug-of-War Referee/ Judges Training Workshop at New Delhi, India. The International Referee Mr. Anton Rabe, Treasure, TWIF, Mr. Marius Smit, South Africa, Mr. Chien-Wen Chen, Taiwan, Taiwan attended as instructors for the game. 74 delegates attended and qualified in the workshop from Srilanka, Nepal and India.

Tug of War game included in School Games Nationals by SGFI

In June, 2011 The School Games Federation of India SGFI, accorded its recognition and included the game of tug of War in the School Games National . The School Games Federation of India SGFI invited TWFI to conduct the game of Tug of War in School Games Nationals. The impact of this decision is that the game of tug of war will be extended as a choice in ALL the government & private schools in the country. This in physical terms covers more than a million students, boys and girls. It is huge boost for the game in India.

Schools Games Tug of War National was conducted for the first time in India at Madgaon, Goa from 1- 5 Nov.2011. The Tournament was played for Boys-560 Kilo and Girls-440 Kilo weight categories and under TWFI rules.

2nd South Asian Tug of War Championship

In 2011 TWFI conducted the 2nd South Asian Tug of War Championship in New Delhi in which about 350 players from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan participated.