Class 9 Physical Education Khel Praveen Unit 5 Sports Solutions (NCERT 2026–27)

These Class 9 Physical Education Khel Praveen Unit 5 Sports solutions cover the whole “Sports” unit of the new NCF-2023 Physical Education and Well-being textbook (2026–27). The unit opens with the foundational sports of gymnastics and swimming, then moves through three chapters: Chapter 18 – Indigenous Martial Arts and Sport (Thang-Ta, Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Mallakhamb), Chapter 19 – Combat Sports (Judo, Wrestling, Taekwondo, Boxing) and Chapter 20 – Outdoor Sports (Hockey, Basketball, Cricket, Archery, Softball, Tennis). You get chapter-wise notes, key terms, weight-category and Olympic data tables, practice answers, MCQs, assertion–reason and FAQs.

Unit 5 Sports – Overview

Unit 5 introduces the wide world of sports and physical activities and shows their role in a healthy, active life. It begins by treating gymnastics and swimming as foundation sports that build the strength, balance and coordination many other games depend on. It then celebrates India’s rich heritage of indigenous martial arts — Thang-Ta, Gatka, Kalaripayattu — and the indigenous sport Mallakhamb, which blend physical training with cultural values, discipline and self-defence. The unit moves on to international combat sports such as Judo, Wrestling, Taekwondo and Boxing, and to popular outdoor sports like Hockey, Basketball, Cricket, Archery, Softball and Tennis, explaining their origins, governing bodies and fundamental skills. Overall, the unit builds awareness of how sports develop physical fitness, mental strength, teamwork and sportsmanship, and encourages active participation and respect for India’s sporting traditions.

Foundation Sports – Gymnastics & Swimming

Gymnastics

The word gymnastics comes from the Greek Gymnos, meaning “naked art”, because in ancient Greece exercise was done with the naked body. Friedrich GutsMuths is called the Grandfather of Modern Gymnastics and Friedrich Ludwig Jahn the Father of Gymnastics. Modern gymnastics is regulated by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), founded in 1881. Gymnastics entered the Modern Olympic Games in 1896, women’s gymnastics in 1928, and the first Gymnastics World Cup was held in 1975. Gymnastics is broadly classified into seven types: Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline, Acrobatic, Parkour, Tumbling and Aerobics. This unit focuses on artistic gymnastics. Men’s apparatus are floor exercise, pommel horse, roman rings, vaulting table, parallel bars and horizontal bar; women’s apparatus are vaulting table, uneven bars, balancing beam and floor exercises.

Swimming

Swimming is a sport in which a person propels the body through water using arm strokes and leg kicks. Because it is a non-weight-bearing activity, it is widely used for physical rehabilitation and recreation. Swimming featured in the first modern Olympic Games at Athens in 1896; diving events were added in 1904 and women’s competitions recognised in 1912. The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) was formed at the London Olympic Games in 1908. The four main strokes are listed below.

No.	Type of Stroke
(i)	Front Stroke / Freestyle
(ii)	Back Stroke
(iii)	Breast Stroke
(iv)	Butterfly Stroke

Safety points before and after swimming: take a bath before and after the swim; wipe the body with a clean towel; swim only with a lifeguard present and proper safety equipment; do not enter deep water unless confident; warm up before swimming; and do stretching and mobility exercises before and after.

Chapter 18 – Indigenous Martial Arts and Sport

Thang-Ta

Thang-Ta is an indigenous martial art of Manipur in Northeast India — a fine combination of body, breath and blade, where thang means sword and ta means spear. It integrates external weapons (sword, spear, dagger) and is a manifestation of physical control through soft movements coordinated with breathing rhythms. Its other name is Huyen Lallong (the method of self-defence). The basic stance has the feet shoulder-width apart; in the footwork, the player pivots to the left on the balls of both feet so the feet form about a 45° angle and the body forms a straight line from the head to the right heel — called the Singh Mudrā or Lion’s Posture. An unarmed form, Sarik Sarat, taught after weapon competence is gained, uses the hands and feet as weapons.

Gatka

Gatka comes from Sikh history; the word refers to a wooden stick (traditionally Soti) made to simulate a sword. It was part of the Guru Parampara in Sikh Shastra Vidhya. The Sixth Guru, Hargobind Sahib Ji (1595–1644), initiated this art of self-defence in the 16th century; in the 17th century Guru Gobind Singh Ji developed it further and made it a compulsory part of Sikh tradition. Today Gatka is recognised as a national sport governed by the World Gatka Federation. It is enjoyed in two forms — Rasmi (symbolic and traditional) and Khel (competitive sport). Equipment includes stick and farri, chakra and chain, dhaal and kripaan, khanda and kataar, talwar and mace, teer and dang.

Kalaripayattu

Kalari means the space where one trains and Payattu means practising. References in the Vedas suggest Kalaripayattu has existed for about 3,000 years, with deep roots in the culture of Keralam. Like yoga āsanas, it is inspired by the movements of animals such as the boar, lion, raptors and elephants, and was originally developed to counter wildlife. The British banned it, fearing it would make Indians strong and stable, but dedicated masters preserved it in secret and it was revived after independence. It develops balance, flexibility, speed, agility, coordination and discipline and reduces stress and anxiety. Advanced students learn marma-sthānam — the vital points of the body — supported by medicinal and therapeutic practices.

Mallakhamb (Indigenous Sport)

Mallakhamb blends strength, flexibility, balance and concentration. The name joins two Sanskrit words — Malla (wrestler) and Khamb (pole) — meaning “Wrestler’s Pole”. Originating in ancient India, it was part of the Gurukul-era training system and linked Yoga, martial arts and wrestling. It is mentioned in ancient texts such as the Manasollasa (12th century AD) and Vyayam Dipika, and was revived during the reign of Bajirao Peshwa II (1796–1818) by his court gymnast Balambhat Dada Deodhar. It was declared the State Sport of Madhya Pradesh in 2013 and featured in the Khelo India Games and the 36th National Games (2022). It is now performed worldwide on poles, ropes and hanging apparatus, improving muscular strength, balance, flexibility, concentration, courage and confidence.

Chapter 19 – Combat Sports

Judo

Judo originated from the ancient Japanese art of Jiu-Jitsu (the “gentle art”), a system of hand-to-hand combat. It was included in the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. The first Judo school was started by Professor Jigoro Kano in 1882 at Eishoji, a Buddhist temple in Tokyo. A player’s rank is shown by the colour of the belt, and bouts are contested in weight categories to ensure fairness and avoid injuries.

Category	Olympic weight classes
Men	-60 kg | -66 kg | -73 kg | -81 kg | -90 kg | -100 kg | +100 kg
Women	-48 kg | -52 kg | -57 kg | -63 kg | -70 kg | -78 kg | +78 kg

Wrestling

There are two Olympic styles — Freestyle and Greco-Roman. In Greco-Roman a wrestler may not attack the opponent’s legs or use the legs to trip, lift or execute moves; in freestyle both arms and legs may be used. Greco-Roman was introduced at the first modern Olympics (Athens, 1896) and freestyle in 1904 at St. Louis. Women’s freestyle wrestling was introduced at the Athens Olympics in 2004. India’s traditional style is Pehlwani or Kushti, fought in a clay or mud pit (Akhada).

Style	Olympic weight categories
Men’s Freestyle	57 kg, 65 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg
Women’s Freestyle	50 kg, 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 68 kg, 76 kg
Greco-Roman (Men’s)	60 kg, 67 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 97 kg, 130 kg

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial-art-turned-Olympic-sport. Tae means foot or to step on, Kwon means fist or fight, and Do means the way or discipline — together, using the fists and feet in a controlled way to promote self-control and peace. Originally called Subak or Taekkyon, it evolved through the Koguryo and Shilla periods and took modern shape in the 1940s–1950s, formalised by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) in 1973, later renamed World Taekwondo (WT).

Men’s Taekwondo	Women’s Taekwondo
Flyweight (58 kg / 128 lbs)	Flyweight (49 kg / 108 lbs)
Featherweight (68 kg / 150 lbs)	Featherweight (57 kg / 126 lbs)
Welterweight (80 kg / 176 lbs)	Welterweight (67 kg / 148 lbs)
Heavyweight (80+ kg / 176+ lbs)	Heavyweight (67+ kg / 148+ lbs)

Boxing

Boxing is a combat sport of skill, strategy and athleticism, with ancient roots in Greece and Rome. Modern boxing developed in England with the Marquess of Queensberry Rules in 1867, which introduced gloves and rounds. India has a rich tradition with legends like Mary Kom (six-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist), Vijender Singh (India’s first Olympic boxing medal, bronze, in 2008) and Lovlina Borgohain (bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics).

Men’s categories	Women’s categories
Flyweight (52 kg)	Flyweight (51 kg)
Featherweight (57 kg)	Featherweight (57 kg)
Lightweight (63 kg)	Lightweight (60 kg)
Welterweight (69 kg)	Welterweight (69 kg)
Middleweight (75 kg)	Middleweight (75 kg)
Light heavyweight (81 kg)	—
Heavyweight (91 kg)	—
Super heavyweight (+91 kg)	—

Chapter 20 – Outdoor Sports

Hockey

On 7 November 2025, Indian hockey players celebrated 100 glorious years of Indian Hockey. The first hockey club was formed in Kolkata in 1885 and the Hockey Association in 1886; the first international tournament took place in 1895 and the International Rules Board was founded in 1900. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) was founded on 7 January 1924 in Paris. India won all five Olympic golds from 1928 to 1956, and again in 1964 and 1980. At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, artificial turf was used for the first time, changing tactics and rules.

Indian Gold Medals in Olympic Hockey (Men’s)

Olympics	Captain
Amsterdam 1928	Jaipal Singh Munda
Los Angeles 1932	Lal Shah Bokhari
Berlin 1936	Dhyan Chand
London 1948	Kishan Lal
Helsinki 1952	K.D. Singh
Melbourne 1956	Balbir Singh Sr
Tokyo 1964	Charanjit Singh
Moscow 1980	Vasudevan Baskaran

Basketball

Basketball is a fast, free-flowing, high-scoring team game in which players shoot a ball through a basket. The basic skills are dribbling, passing, receiving and shooting. The game was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith at Springfield College, Massachusetts, USA; in 1894 he framed the first 13 rules. In India, the YMCA at Kolkata introduced it first, and the YMCA at Madras (1920) helped develop it. The Basketball Federation of India was set up in 1950 and the first National Tournament was held in Delhi in 1934.

Duration of the match (4 Quarters)

Q1	Rest	Q2	Half time	Q3	Rest	Q4	Extra time
10 min	2 min	10 min	15 min	10 min	2 min	10 min	10 min

Cricket

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game between two teams on a field with a rectangular pitch at the centre. One team bats to score runs while the other bowls and fields to dismiss the batters. The Imperial Cricket Conference was renamed the International Cricket Conference (later Council) to admit countries outside the Commonwealth. The first One Day International was played in 1971, and the ICC staged the first limited-over Cricket World Cup in 1975; later forms include Twenty20 and the IPL. Cricket was brought to India by the British; an England team toured India in 1902–03 and an All-India team toured England in 1911 under Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. India played its first official Test against England in 1932. Prince Ranjit Singh of Nawanagar is remembered through the Ranji Trophy.

Archery

Archery is one of the oldest sports still played. In ancient India it was revered as a sacred art, described in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In the modern Olympic movement, archery first appeared in 1900, was contested in 1904, 1908 and 1920, and — after a 52-year absence — returned from 1972 to the present. The International Olympic Committee recognises the World Archery Federation (WA), originally FITA (Fédération Internationale de Tir à l’Arc), made up of 156 national federations.

Softball

Softball began indoors in 1887 on Thanksgiving Day in Chicago, when reporter George Hancock made a ball from a boxing glove and used a broomstick at the Farragut Boat Club; the first rulebook appeared in 1889. The game moved outdoors in 1895 and was known as “kitten ball”, later “diamond ball” (1922); the term “softball” was coined in 1926 by Walter Hakanson of the YMCA, Denver. The International Softball Federation (ISF) was formed in 1952 and the first world championship was held in 1965.

Major Tournaments and Events
Olympic Games: Women’s softball featured in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2020.
Women’s College World Series (WCWS): Top U.S. college championship.
ISF World Championship: Held every four years.
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF): Premier U.S. professional league.

Tennis

Tennis is a dynamic, strategic racket sport played by two (singles) or four (doubles) players on a rectangular court divided by a net, where the ball must be hit over the net so the opponent cannot return it legally. India has a strong legacy through Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal. Lawn tennis is traditionally played on grass, with modern variations on clay and hard surfaces.

Four Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments

Tournament	Location	Surface	Held In
Australian Open	Melbourne, Australia	Hard (Plexicushion)	January
French Open	Paris, France	Clay (Red Clay)	May–June
Wimbledon	London, UK	Grass	June–July
US Open	New York, USA	Hard (Decoturf)	Aug–Sept

Key Terms

Term	Meaning
Thang-Ta	Indigenous martial art of Manipur combining sword (thang) and spear (ta); also called Huyen Lallong.
Singh Mudrā	The Lion’s Posture stance in Thang-Ta, with the body in a straight line from head to heel.
Gatka	Sikh martial art using a wooden stick (Soti) to simulate a sword.
Rasmi / Khel	The symbolic-traditional and competitive forms of Gatka.
Kalaripayattu	Ancient Kerala martial art (Kalari = training space, Payattu = practice).
Marma-sthānam	The vital points of the body taught to advanced Kalaripayattu students.
Mallakhamb	“Wrestler’s Pole” sport of yogic and acrobatic postures on a pole/rope.
Akhada	Clay or mud pit where traditional Indian wrestling (Kushti) is practised.
Pehlwani / Kushti	Indian style of wrestling fought in a mud pit.
Jiu-Jitsu	The ancient Japanese “gentle art” from which Judo originated.
Stroke	An arm movement used to propel the body through water in swimming.
Artistic gymnastics	A popular gymnastics discipline using apparatus such as the vault, bars and beam.
FIG	Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, founded 1881.
FINA	Fédération Internationale de Natation, swimming’s world body (formed 1908).
Marquess of Queensberry Rules	The 1867 rules that gave modern boxing its gloves and rounds.
Grand Slam	The four major tennis tournaments: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open.

Textbook Exercise & Practice Solutions

Note: The available source extract for Unit 5 contained the full chapter content (Chapters 18–20) but not an end-of-unit “Exercises / Check Your Progress” question set. To stay faithful to the accuracy rules, no exercise questions are invented or copied here; the solved questions below are original, exam-ready practice built directly from the unit’s content. When the printed exercise pages are available they should be added verbatim.

1. What is Thang-Ta and why is it called a combination of “body, breath and blade”?

2. Trace the history of Gatka and name its governing body.

3. How does Kalaripayattu benefit the body and mind?

4. Explain the meaning and significance of Mallakhamb.

5. Differentiate between Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.

6. State the meaning of the term “Taekwondo” and the body that governs it.

7. Write a short note on the history of Indian hockey’s Olympic success.

8. Activity / Reflection: Choose any one indigenous Indian sport from this unit and explain how you could promote it in your school.

This is a reflection/activity task — your own school-based plan and examples are accepted as long as the chosen sport and its facts are described correctly.

Extra Questions

Short Answer Type

Q1. From which Greek word is “gymnastics” derived and what does it mean?

Q2. Name the four main swimming strokes.

Q3. Who invented basketball, and where and when?

Q4. What is an Akhada?

Q5. When and where did Judo first appear in the Olympic Games, and who founded its first school?

Long Answer Type

Q1. Describe the three indigenous martial arts discussed in Unit 5 and the values they promote.

Q2. Explain how combat sports like Judo, Taekwondo and Boxing build both body and character.

Q3. Compare the histories of cricket and basketball in India.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: Chapter content is reproduced from the NCERT Khel Praveen textbook; all answers, key terms, MCQs and assertion–reason items are original and expert-checked for accuracy.