Tennikoit is a traditional Indian game that involves throwing a small rubber ring back and forth between two players. The spelling of this word follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription of /tɛnˈkɔɪt/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "e" in "tenni" is pronounced with an open-mid front unrounded vowel, while the "koi" in "koit" is pronounced with a diphthong consisting of an open back unrounded vowel followed by a close front unrounded vowel. With this knowledge, one can confidently spell and pronounce the word tennikoit.
Tennikoit, also known as ring tennis or tenniquoits, is a popular outdoor sport played mainly in South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is a racket game that combines elements of tennis and badminton, and involves two players or two teams of two players each.
The game is played on a rectangular court, which is divided into two halves by a net stretched across the middle. The objective of tennikoit is to throw a rubber ring, called a tennikoit or tenniquoits, across the net and into the opponent's court, aiming to score points by landing the ring inside a designated scoring area. The ring is thrown using a specially designed tennikoit racket, which is similar to a tennis racket but has a larger, circular head.
Players must use their hand-eye coordination and strategic skills to anticipate and respond to their opponent's throws, as well as to accurately aim their own shots to outmaneuver and outscore their opponents. The game requires agility, speed, and precision, as players need to move swiftly to catch and throw the ring, while also keeping a close eye on their opponent's movements.
Tennikoit is a fast-paced and exciting game often played in schools, parks, and community centers. It promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship. It can be played competitively or for recreation, catering to players of all ages and skill levels.
The word "tennikoit" is believed to have been derived from the combination of two words: "tennis" and "koit".
The term "tennis" traces back to the French word "tenez", which is the imperative form of "tenir" (to hold). It was originally used as a command to start the game, as players would call out "tenez" before serving the ball. Over time, the word evolved and became known as "tennis", referring to the sport played with rackets and a ball on a defined court.
The second part of the word, "koit", is derived from the Marathi language, which is spoken in the western regions of India. "Koit" means "a circle" in Marathi.