Langa

HISTORY OF LANGA GAME

Langa is one of the most popular traditional sports commonly found among the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group of the northern parts of Nigeria . It is also played among Yoruba youths as lakanlaka without serious organized competitions. As a team sport, it scored 3 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals at the last National Sports Festival, at Gateway 2006 also at Bauchi 2000, Edo 2002 and Abuja 2004.Langa is gradually spreading to southern parts of Nigeria . It is also approved for primary and Secondary school curriculum by the Federal Ministry of Education.

 

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF LANGA GAME

RUWA (EVENT ONE)

PLAYERS

• The number of players will be twelve including the target.

• The team shall be six including six substitutes.

• The target shall be identified with a head band and should participate in the attack and defence in each case.

• There shall be target destination in which the target should touch or reach to win.

• Two points are awarded for displacing all in the attacking side without the target being touched, displaced or reached the destination.

• One point is awarded for covering the target to reach the destination and some attackers displaced.

• Two points are awarded for covering the target and displaced some of the defenders by the attackers and the target is not displaced.

• Number of sets won and points recorded give the winner the priviledge of receiving the trophy, shield, certificate or cash prize.

• Quite a number of team can play knock-out or league elimination to determine the champion.

• The winner wins two sets out of the three sets allowed.

OFFICIALS

The officials involved in the game of Langa are as follows:

• The Referee

• The Umpire

• The Recorder

• Destination Supervisor

The referee takes care of the game from the time the two teams report to the table to submit their lists.

The umpire assists and acts in officiating the game. Both the referee and umpire authorize whatever point is made through signal or going to the scorer to report the point made.

The scores are indicated through signals raising fingers as the case may be, likewise fouls are indicated through signals by raising arms up showing the number of the player and his side.

The referee and umpire can change sides after each set or when a game is over before the next is started.

The recorder takes record of all activities which includes (i) Points (ii) Fouls (iii) Substitution (iv) Improper dressing.

The recorder is one of the signatories of any match, provided record of the match is taken.

The scorer also takes charge of the score board .The number of points made and which side made the points.

The scorer also receives instructions or directives from the referee or umpire and the recorder.

Destination Supervisors also watch malpractices either losing the grip and starting or touching the ground and standing up again. This helps the field officials greatly to tackle other duties on the field. The destination supervisors do not punish a player but could signal the referee in case of next time.

There will also be accompanying officials who will be responsible for any disciplinary action against any team after documentation for any competition. The accompanying officials are (i) Manager (ii) Coach (iii) Secretary (iv) Captain.

Only the officials will sign for or on behalf of their teams. Any two officials can sign the score sheets after each match indicating that they accept the result of the match as indicated. If there is any objection from the scores or records the referee should be informed.

Match commissioner shall be appointed for each match. Playing under protest should be reported to the match commissioner.

The game shall be played in an area covering 30m by 50m.The field can be soft, or any surface, provided it is not slippery or with any obstacles.

There must be a substitution area/lines and a center line to demarcate the two sides and indicate the substitution areas. The destination supervisors should be very vigilant on this because it is done in front of them. That is, the substitution should be at the side line to avoid collusion.

The substitution bench should not be far from the destination supervisor. it is the destination supervisor who will signal to the referee or umpire that someone is going out/coming in and should signal his number because of the recorder.

TURESHI (EVENT TWO)

PLAYERS

The number of players shall be twelve per team.

There shall be a place in the center of the field which two players shall reach and try to displace each other.

Anyone displaced should leave the place, another one from his team moves to replace him. The team whose player is displaced is counted as short one. The number of the displaced players should be marked (x) until the last player is displaced.

There will be no substitution until after a set is completed. This is applicable in all sets of competitions, provided it is going to be scored.

OFFICIALS

This event requires destination supervisor as all players are expected at the end line. They should note who goes next if there is any abnormality in the substitution process.

The scoring system should be when one player displaces all the opposing players. A team score two points when it displaces the opposing team and with only two players left the team scores 3 points and when three and above displaces all the opposing team members they score only one point. This is applicable only when the match is tied. Signal should be made by the referee or umpire on the points scored or who won if is by number of sets.

The match shall take place within the prescribed area of 30m by 50m.The two players involved should be in a circle at the center of the field while the rest of the players remain at the end line. Each player going in should report to the destination supervisor who in turn signals the referee. Other substitutes should not be near the competing players to avoid problems.

KAWOSHI (EVENT THREE)

PLAYER

• The number of players shall be twelve as in tureshi.

• Six shall constitute a team with six substitutes i.e 12 players make a team.

• All players shall line up at the end and more to the center in turn.

• There shall be a toss for the sides. The winner of the toss shall choose side.

• Player can be disqualified if he used knee to displace his opponent. This rule is applicable to all instances no exception to the variation presented.

• All the six substitutes can go in at a time and no more substitution can be allowed in each half of the game .This may be allowed in all the variation except in Tureshi.After a competition is declared opened no replacement will be entertained to stop implications.

OFFICIALS

• All officials as in variation one shall be involved in the officiating except there is shortage of officials.

• The referee shall always be the final authority through consulting his colleagues when necessary to avoid complains.

• In the scoring system there shall be six on each side. The side that has the higher number of survivals wins that set.

• The destination supervisors shall be at end line within the sight of the attacking and defending teams.

• The match shall be allowed in an area of 30m by 50m.

• Captain in all instances shall be identified with an arm band. This will enable official to know who to deal with on the field during the commencement of a match.