Woodball in India

Woodball is a sport in which a ball is passed through gates with the help of a mallet. This game can be played on grass, sand, or in an enclosed space. The sport was established in 2008 and is part of the Asian Beach Games programme. Taipei, Taiwan is home to the International Woodball Federation.

History of Woodball

Woodball was invented in 1990 by Mr Ming-Hui Weng, he just want to build a garden for his father to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful view in the scenic spot Nei-Shuang-His, were situated in Shih-lin, Taipei City. After mowing the weeds of the hillside, he found that there were terraced fields there, which can be developed as an outdoor exercise place. It flashed through his mind that he could make good use of this garden by designing it as a ball-playing ground. Under such motive, he was trying to create a ball sport, in which the playing-ball would not fly up (appropriate to be played on the grass ground) and the sport itself should be economic (neither expensive nor large ground) so that he could invite more friends to enjoy the fun of playing ball in the green field. After two years of experiment and adjustment, the equipment and the regulation of the ball game have emerged finally as they are today. The International Woodball Federation (“IWbF”) is the governing world body for the Game of Woodball, with members from the Woodball Associations and bodies from different countries. The IWF establishes the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the game and also holds regular Regional International and World Cup Woodball Championships. Woodball is similar to golf with all the excitement and thrill, although this game is far less complicated to learn. It is said that the Woodball game is a cross between golf and the game of croquette. It is a lawn game but can still be played indoors or in any open space. Woodball is not among the top popular sports like Cricket, Hockey, Tennis or Football where big corporate groups proactively participate in helping/joining the sports with huge finances in their training and championships.

Woodball in India

Woodball sports started in India from the year 2002 by Mr Ashish Deshmukh & Mr Pravin Manwatkar under the banner of the Woodball Federation of India. In the year 2003 Late Mr Ramesh Nikose (MLC) Mr Ajay Sontakke & some members from various states of India formed the Woodball Association of India.

To promote & develop Woodball in India after discussions Woodball Federation of India merge with the Woodball Association of India. In 2003 Woodball Association of India got affiliation from the International Woodball Federation & Asian Woodball Federation Woodball Association of India is Government registered body along with 26 Affiliated State Associations & Union Territory of India.

The Indian Woodball Team first time participating in the 3rd Asian University Woodball Championship & 7th Malaysia Woodball International Open Championship Lanjut, Malaysia from 6 -12 August 2003.

From 2003 to till time The Indian Woodball Team Participated in the 30th International Woodball Championships including all Major & Important Championship like World / Asian Universities, World Championship, Asian Championships & Asian Beach Games. In India, we have a five International Referees & Two International Coaches.