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Chapter 23: The Play: Part 2
The game started as Venkat's team kicked the ball, starting the play. The ball sailed towards a soldier on his team. As the soldier saw the ball approaching, he tracked it while moving backwards to catch it. However, due to the sun's glare, he lost control of the ball and stumbled to the ground. Before he could regain his footing and retrieve the ball, it was snatched away from him. A soldier from the opposing team jumped up and grabbed the ball. Filled with excitement, this opponent soldier quickly dashed towards the scoring area, aiming for a touchdown.
Everyone was momentarily stunned by the ball-carrying soldier. This distraction was immediately countered as Venkat immediately sent someone to tackle him. However, the tackle failed, as the person sent to tackle him fell down while running in high speed. Fortunately, he fell to the ground safely without any injury.
The players of the Venkat team were disappointed with the outcome. But unlike them, the opposite team cheered loudly. Several players excitedly rushed to the ball-bearing soldier to lift him in the air, cheering.
"Hooraih."
"Hooraih."
An offensive opportunity was wasted. According to the rules set by Vijay, the attacker has three chances to advance the distance of 10 meters in the other half of the game. Get three offensive opportunities, otherwise, you should be attacked by the opponent.
Nirmal was not in a hurry. He joked and said to the soldier that couldn't catch the ball, "Manu, did you exercise with your wife too many times last night, so your hands and feet are weak and you can't even catch a ball?!"
The players laughed.
"Okay, brothers, this offence must let them see the strength of the strongest team in the army!"
The soldiers screamed and cheered up.
The two sides lined up on the code line of the stop ball, and the middle of the road arrived at the same time. On both sides, one side was ready to catch the ball, and the other side was ready to block.
Although the game was being played for the very first time, the smart ones came up with multiple strategies as they played.
The whistle sounded.
As the whistle sounded, the teams sprang into action. The sand clock ticking away showed the intensity of the match. Venkat's team regrouped quickly after the fumbled ball incident, looking forward to making up for the lost opportunity. freewebno(v)el
The soldiers on the field showed incredible agility and teamwork. The players changed positions quickly, passing the ball amongst themselves. Nirmal's team demonstrated their strategic prowess, using their plays to take advantage of the opposing team's weaknesses. The game continued with a series of tackles, runs, and passes.
Each time a player dashed toward the scoring area, excitement rippled through the audience. The spectators, a mixture of fellow cadets and instructors, cheered as the tension rose as the sand clock's timer drew nearer to completion.
Venkat's team managed to score a point after a well-coordinated play that caught Rohan's team off guard. The crowd erupted in cheers as the score was announced.
However, Rohan's team quickly regrouped and fought back. The opposing team showcased their own strategies, implementing passes and tactics they had come up with.
Within the dust and sweat of the field, the leadership qualities of the platoon officers were put to the test. The coaches on the sidelines, shouted instructions, adjusted tactics on the fly, and made quick decisions to seize opportunities. The squad leaders (now Quarterbacks) on the field not only showcased their physical prowess but also their ability to adapt and strategize under pressure.
The match continued with each team pushing themselves to their limits. The sand clock's final grains slipped through, signalling the end of the trial game. Both teams were left panting but happy, having experienced a taste of the intense and tiring sport of rugby.
In a different part of the academy, a Kabaddi match was underway. Even though some rules were changed and others added, the soldiers quickly adapted to the new rules of the game. Despite the alterations, the core essence of the game remained the same, a game that many soldiers were familiar with from their childhoods. The soldiers gathered on a sandy field, with platoons divided into teams, and excitement and determination were evident in their eyes. One player, referred to as the "raider," stepped forward with muscles poised. Chanting "Kabaddi, Kabaddi," he ventured into the enemy territory of the opposing team.
The defenders got ready, fists clenched, waiting to react. The tension grew as the raider tried to touch an opponent and return safely. Defenders moved swiftly, hands outstretched, showing agility and strategy in their moves. The game was full of energy, with quick reflexes deciding who succeeded.
The spectators, other soldiers watching, gasped and cheered as the raider narrowly escaped a defender's touch. He made it back to his side, panting but triumphant, earning points for his team. The game continued, with each raid showcasing both strength and strategy.
Amidst the sunny field, there was laughter and friendly competition among the soldiers. The game had a rhythm of its own, showing their unity. They improved their teamwork, quick thinking, and endurance. When the game ended, the cheers filled the air, as the soldiers celebrated the successful Kabaddi match.
The same excitement can also be seen at the Vijayanagara South Military Academy. Unbeknownst to Vijay, these games will eventually become known worldwide as the Bharatiya Military Olympics.
Due to the introduction of these games, Vijayanagara laid a solid foundation for the formation of its own special forces through continuous MMA training. Additionally, many military talents emerged as a result of this introduction.
In the future, these games became integrated into Bharatiya culture, spanning schools, colleges, and society, evolving into a billion-Varaha industry.
Because of the games' popularity extended beyond the army, cultural integration became smoother within the Vijayanagara Empire. In fact, some historians in the future even praised these games as the single most significant contributing factor in combating the caste system.
****** I would like to give credit to Chen Rui, the author of the book "Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece", As the Rugby game in this novel, is heavily inspired by his work, please check it out.******