Insuknawr or rod - pushing is an indigenous game of Mizoram. Played only by the male population of Mizoram, Insuknawr became ` Mizo National Game ` after the Mizoram State Sports Council declared so. In Insuknawr, a circle 15-18 ft diameter is drawn. The players make use of a round wooden rod approximately 8 ft long and 3 - 4 inches in diameter. The objective of the game is simple- to push the opponent outside the circle in 3 rounds. In case neither of the players is successful in pushing the opponent out of the circle within 60 seconds, the round is declared a draw. And if no result is achieved at the end of three rounds, a tie - breaker tales place and the game is over only once a result is out.
Insuknawr starts with the two players placing the rods under his arm. Players have to make sure that the centre of the rod is in proper alignment with the centre of the circle. The player can push each other out of circle through the back or even the side of the circle. During play if anyone falls down, he loses the match. And if during the course of play, the rod comes in contact with the ground, the respective player gets penalized with negative points. These points come in handy to decide on the winner in case of a draw.