Its Raining Leagues: Kabbadi Revives
Its Raining Leagues: Kabbadi Revives
Kabbadi is a home grown sport and our country is the place where it was born . It was a demonstration sport in the Asian Games during 1982. The game debuted in 1990 in Beijing and India won the gold medal at the Asiad Games . This paved the way for the growth of the game in India. Since that year, India has earned 6 consecutive gold medals at the Asian Games. Just when its more popular cousins cricket and football have experienced a flush of sponsors and commercial promotions, kabbadi is looking to catch up in the game . The Pro Kabaddi League and the World Kabbadi League are creating waves in the sporting world. The enthusiasm and support from many quarters has left the players and the fans enthused.
Kabbadi is a 100% Indian sport and it is gaining the recognition it deserves. This game is just as popular in the schools and gullies of India as cricket . But due to lack of sponsors, the game had been facing a decline that has now been reversed. With leading celebrities associating with both the Leagues, it will not be long before the game catches on in a big way. Already media reports are indicating that the PKL and WKL are creating excitement in social media circles.
The roots of kabbadi can be traced back to ancient India. Kabbadi tournaments were held in India as long back as 100 years. When Hanuman Vyayaam Prasarak Mandal from Maharashtra displayed the game at the 1936 Berlin Olympics , the audience was spell bound at the speed and dexterity of the players.
Kabbadi has now reached global levels because efforts such as the leagues will popularise it and provide the world a chance to see that India is the birthplace of an exciting sport. Kabbadi also showcases India's rich cultural legacy. Kabbadi can become to India what cricket is to England. Our signature sport is the kabbadi which stems from the ancient heritage of powerful and swift footed players who use a combination of physical and mental discipline to keep their focus sharp and excel in the game. We would do well to popularise it.
Some of the well known kabbadi players at the PKL are Navneet Gautam , Jasvir Singh , Surjeet Narwal and Ajay Rakesh Kumar. Indian companies are not getting left behind either. 8 franchises have invested in the League and players are happy that the sport has taken on a new shine .Stalwarts such as Arjuna Award winner Raju Bhavsar have also welcomed the creation of the league . Bhavsar has been quoted by media groups as saying “It is heart-warming to see how far this sport has progressed, the difference almost night and day! I never thought that in my lifetime I would be witness to a moment where a professional kabaddi player would be valued at such high numbers — truly worth his while. This day will be written in the history books in gold — this is the new dawn for kabaddi.” This day will go down in the history books in gold – this is the new dawn for kabaddi.”
Charu Sharma a former national level diver and commentator who is the force behind the leagues has explained why kabbadi is a winner among sports- “You can play kabaddi in schools and the neighbourhood, on grass, on mud. Now the professional competitions are held on mats”. Kabbadi stars and fans will now gather for the exciting league events. This is a proud moment for Indian sports.
