Tiruchy: At least 21 bull-tamers were injured in a jallikattu event held at Manjampatti near Manaparai in Tiruchy district on Sunday.
Official sources said that 238 bulls and 341 tamers from Tiruchy and its neighbouring districts took part in the Tamils’ traditional sport revived recently.
While a team of general physicians examined all the tamers about their health and fitness and a team of veterinarians conducted health check-up to all the bulls before they were allowed to enter into the play arena, the sources said.
The district revenue officer (DRO), Mr. Dharpagaraj inaugurated the event.
The injured have been admitted to government and private hospitals at Manaparai, the sources added.
IN ARIYALUR DT:
Meanwhile, 14 bull-tamers were injured in a ‘jallikattu’ event held at Pilichikuzhi village near Ariyalur on Sunday. In all, 130 bulls and 150 bull-tamers from Ariyalur and its surrounding districts took part in the event. The injured were admitted to the Government hospital in Ariyalur, police said.
IN NAMAKKAL
More than 500 bulls participated in the traditional bull taming sport of jallikattu at Namakkal district on Sunday leaving 20 tamers injured.
District collector Ms. M Asia Mariam flagged off the bull taming sport at Alanganatham near Erumapatty in the district. As per norms, the bull-tamers were subjected to medical tests and bulls were examined by veterinarians before the start of the event. The bulls were brought to ‘vadivasal’ one by one as per their registration number and then let into the arena.
More than 500 bulls from Alanganatham, Pottirettipatty, Kollimalai and other areas participated in the bull taming sport that ended in the evening. At least 20 persons suffered injuries and they were treated by a medical team stationed at the spot. Before the start of the event, players took a vow to tame the bulls by not subjecting them to any cruelty and by adopting authorised norms.
The successful bull-tamers were honoured with prizes ranging from gold and silver coins, pots and other household items. The organisers ensured that tamers tamed the bulls only by holding its hump and not by resorting to any other unapproved methods. Also those who took on the bulls by holding its horns or tail were disqualified and sent out of the arena.
A large number of local villagers gathered to witness the ‘jallikattu’ event held amidst much fanfare.
