Ancient sport of hip ball - 23rd July 2021

Young Maya people in Guatemala are enjoying their culture by playing a traditional sport. This game is known as hip ball. Teams of four people play a match, which takes just under half an hour.

Hip ball seems unusual when compared to more recognised sports, such as football and basketball. Instead of touching the ball with the hands or feet, it's played with the hip, as player Otto Jacobo describes.

Otto Jacobo: "In this version of the Mayan ball game, only the hip can be used and each team can only hit the ball once."

A player touches the ball once, then it's the turn of the other team. The aim is for players to get the ball over a line, which scores them four points.

Before the match starts, a spiritual guide performs a special ceremony. Carlos Zabala is asking for protection for the players.

Hipball is mentioned in a Maya holy book, Popol Vuh. It's important to Maya people today, says player Javier Mendez.

Javier Mendez: "Our objective is to promote ancestral sport as narrated in the Popol Vuh."

Of the 11 hip ball teams in Guatemala, women make up one team. The teams are currently preparing to compete in the next Mesoamerican championship in Mexico.