The success of Pro Kabaddi League has given one of India’s most ancient sports a platform to rise and shine in the 21st century and Bengaluru Bulls star Rohit Kumar is a manifestation of the same. Kumar, one of the best kabaddi players in the country at present, is really excited about the World Cup happening in India and hopes to win it for his country. In an exclusive interview to Sportskeeda, the tall raider said that he will be looking to make the cut for the final squad that plays the tournament in Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad, one of the most popular cities in the country, will be hosting the Kabaddi World Cup, which is going to be held from October 7th to October 22nd with 12 countries participating. Australia, Canada, Japan, USA, UK and Australia will be some of the countries participating in the biggest kabaddi tournament in the world. Speaking about the prospect of playing for India in the Kabaddi World Cup, he said, “It is my dream to play for my country in the World Cup and nothing is bigger for me than this.
“There is nothing like representing India on the biggest level and I am ready to give it my best. Pro Kabaddi has given us a big platform to shine and having the Kabaddi World Cup in India is the best thing that could have happened to follow that up,” he said.
A camp, currently being held in Gujarat, will see the participation of just under 30 of India’s best kabaddi players and the final squad of 14 is to be selected from the lot. Rohit Kumar says he is confident of making it but cannot take anything for granted, given the kind of talent there is on display. “There are a lot of talented players in the country and all will looking to get a spot in the final squad for the World Cup.
“I am confident about getting a spot in the team but cannot take anything for granted because there is no dearth of talent in the country and good players are in abundance. In the end, I hope the best squad is selected and the players who can win it for India play in the World Cup,” he added.
Rohit Kumar, a Services man himself, will be joining the camp for the final selection of the Indian team after representing the Navy in the Inter Services tournament, which is going to be held in Bhopal in early September. He will be joined by others like Nitin Tomar and Surjeet in a competition that is going to provide Rohit with much needed match practice before attending the camp.
Talking about his fitness, Rohit said, “There was a bit of a niggle towards the end of Pro Kabaddi but I am fit now. The intensity of kabaddi means that injuries are bound to happen but it is crucial to avoid serious ones and recover quickly. Thankfully for me, I am completely fit and will give my best in the Inter Services tournament in Bhopal.”
The Kabaddi World Cup promises to be a huge extravaganza and is bound to give a global platform to a sport that is indigenous to India and has a huge history. Furthermore, the participation of big nations like USA, UK, Canada and Australia will certainly help it create an outreach extending to huge sporting nations.
