History
Kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in Indian tradition, has grown from a rustic pastime into a celebrated national and international phenomenon. It is a sport that blends the agility of tag with the intensity of wrestling.
The origin of the game dates back to pre-historic times. It is believed to have originated in ancient India, with historical references tracing back to the Mahabharata. Kabaddi’s modern era began in the 1900s. The first known set of rules for the sport were prepared in Maharashtra in 1921.
In 1923 a committee was constituted which amended the rules framed in 1921. The All India Kabaddi Federation was established in 1950. Kabaddi was included in the 1938 Olympics and 1990 Asian Games which gave a boost to the sport worldwide.
Decline in popularity
Even after being the most successful country in the sport, Kabaddi saw a significant decline in the latter half of the 20th century. Let’s have a look at some of such factors that led to the decline of the sport in India –
- Rise of Cricket
After the 1983 World Cup victory, cricket saw a meteoric rise in the country. This victory led to cricket overshadowing all the other sports in our nation. It became a national obsession, attracting extensive media coverage, sponsorships, and public interest. This drew away resources from Kabaddi and other traditional sports.
- Lack of institutional support
Kabaddi suffered from a lack of institutional support. Inadequate infrastructure, limited personal training facilities, and insufficient funding hindered the sport’s development.
- Lack of media coverage
A sport gains a majority of the following when there is proper media coverage. Kabaddi received minimal media attention as compared to other sports. The lack of televised matches, promotional activities, and news coverage further marginalized the sport leading to the decline in its popularity.
- Urbanization and Changing Lifestyle
Rapid urbanization and modernization in India led the urban youth to favor sports that were perceived as more modern and glamorous. This shift in preferences reduced Kabaddi’s appeal among the younger generation.
- Lack of sponsorships
Due to the reduced media coverage, Kabaddi did not receive as much sponsorship and backing as other sports. Brands want to be visible to the world, which is not possible if the media coverage is less.
Revival of Kabaddi
In the standard style of the game, the Indian Men’s Kabaddi team has won all three World Cups (2004, 2007, 2016), and the Indian Women’s Kabaddi team has won one World Cup (2012). In the circle style of the game, the Indian Men’s Kabaddi team has won six out of the seven World Cups (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016), and the Women’s Kabaddi team has won three of the three World Cups (2013, 2014, 2016).
Seeing the nation’s success in the sport on the international stage the government and institutions took steps to revive Kabaddi in our country. The launch of the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014 revitalized the sport. This brought the sport to a national audience.
The league’s popularity and high viewership are not only encouraging media coverage but are also attracting sponsors to the sport. Increased efforts by the government and other sports institutions to promote Kabaddi at the grassroots level are helping improve infrastructure and provide better training facilities.
The government and sports institutions across India are not only supporting and promoting sports other than Cricket but are also taking measures to provide proper facilities to the athletes. India is a nation that has given birth to world-class athletes.
The nation has been No. 1 in Kabaddi since the start and these initiatives will ensure increased participation of athletes in the sport. As Kabaddi evolves and grows, it serves as a reminder of India’s rich sporting heritage and the enduring appeal of its traditional games.