ICFAI University, Tura, has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Garo traditional games by incorporating them into Varsity Week 2025, which commenced on March 3 and will run until March 7 at the university campus. The event features a mix of literary, cultural, and fine arts competitions, but the spotlight remains on the indigenous Garo games—Wa’pong Sika and An.ding Oka. These traditional sports have drawn enthusiastic participation from students eager to reconnect with their cultural heritage.
Wa’pong Sika, similar to tug-of-war, uses a stout bamboo pole instead of a rope, with teams pushing against each other to cross a marked boundary. Historically, it was played by young men from the Nokpantes (Bachelors’ Dormitories) of the Garo tribe. Meanwhile, An.ding Oka involves a test of strength where competitors pull a bamboo stick towards themselves, with the one maintaining grip declared the winner. Apart from these traditional contests, Varsity Week also includes chess, carrom, throwball, and marathon competitions.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. Alicia Gatphoh, Vice Chancellor of ICFAI University (Tura & Shillong campuses), who encouraged students to balance education with sports and aspire for higher-level competitions such as the Meghalaya Games and National Games.
