5 interesting kabaddi facts that you may not be aware of

Kabaddi, India’s indigenous sport, has been the flavour of the town with the inception of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi. With the second season of the League creating waves post a magnificent kick-off, it is appropriate to re-visit certain facts on the game.The term “Kabaddi” by itself seems to have a strong etymological connect. It originates from the Tamil word, Kai-Pidi, which translates to “hold-hands”. Certain other scholars add that the word has a Sanskrit root and derives from the tem Kar-badhi. Incidentally, kabaddi is often perceived as the state sport of Tamil Nadu. Other states across India like Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Punjab too claim kabaddi as their state sport.With the sport being celebrated across the globe now, here is a list of five insightful facts on the sport that one may not be aware of:

#1 India\'s dominance

The Indian men’s kabaddi team at the top of the podium at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon

India is the only country that has won all the kabaddi World Cups and Asian Games. Moreover, kabaddi remains as the only sport being played in all the three versions of the Asian Games – Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games and Asian Beach Games. Women’s kabaddi, though, crept into the picture at the Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010.

India has won both the kabaddi world cups played till now. The indomitable Indian side remained unbeaten throughout the tournament’s history while Iran finished as the runner-up on both occasions. The host nation dominated the final in 2004, scoring 55 and restricting Iran to just 27 to lift the inaugural world cup. In the 2007 edition, India beat Iran convincingly (29-19), yet again, to defend their title.

The Indian women’s kabaddi team is not far away either. The squad clinched gold both the times the sport was part of the Asian Games – 2010 and 2014. They even won the South Asian Games in 2010, beating Bangladesh to the top spot.

#2 Kabaddi in reel life

A host of Indian movies have the sport as the crux of their story signifying the immense popularity of the sport. Tamil movies like “Ghilli”, and “Vanilla Kabbadi Kuzhu”, revolving around the sport, were crackers among the audience. The Telugu and Kannada film industry, too, had their share of kabaddi inspired films like “Okkadu” and “Ajay” respectively. Bollywood movie, “Badlapur Boys”, set the cash registers ringing.

Punjabi movie, “Kabaddi Once Again”, by Sukhminder Dhanjal cast a real-life athlete, Varinder Singh. Also Mukta Barve, the Indian actress won an award in 2007 for donning the role of a kabaddi admirer in a commercial play.

#3 Different types of kabaddi

International rules kabaddi (L) and circle-style kabaddi

There are 2 main formats of kabaddi – International rules kabaddi and circle-style kabaddi. Moreover, these 2 formats are divided into 8 variations with minor changes in the rules, but the crux remaining the same – collecting as many points by tagging the defender and returning to your area.

There are some variants to the game with these four being the widely acknowledged styles: Amar, Sanjeevi, Huttuttoo, and Gaminee.

In international rules kabaddi, the teams comprise of 7 players each and is played on a rectangular court of 13x10m. The other format is the circle kabaddi, also known as the Punjabi kabaddi, which is played on a circular pitch of a radius of 11 metres.

Both the kabaddi styles have their own world cups and tournaments.

#4 Kabaddi at the Olympics

The sport of kabaddi was witnessed at the 1936 Olympics

The sport acquired worldwide recognition in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, when it was aptly demonstrated with full passion and vigour by Vyayam Prasarak Mandal of Amaravati, Maharashtra.

Kabaddi was introduced in the Indian National Games in Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta) two years later, 1938. The All India Kabaddi Federation, which was formed in 1950, made the standard rules of the sport initially and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation, which came up in 1973, has the rights to change the rules and regulations of the game at any point of time.

#5 Foreign influence and viewership in Star Sports Pro Kabaddi

Jang Kun Lee

Players from 34 countries were signed up by the Pro Kabaddi franchises to participate in the second season of the tournament. Top players from countries from all corners of the world – Poland to Pakistan, South Korea to Bangladesh, Kenya to Iran – have been roped in to participate in the cash-rich league, which has completely changed the complexion of the sport.

The first season of Pro Kabaddi was second only to the IPL in terms of viewership. More people in India watched the first match of the League than the number of people who tuned in to witness the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.