The origin of the game can be traced back in the pre-historic time. It reminds us of the time when men used to defend in groups against animals or attack weaker animals individually or in groups for survival and food.
To play Kabaddi one needs stamina, the capacity to hold your breath, quickness and mastery of the tactics of battle.
Two teams of 7 players each, contend in the game in a rectangular ground halved into two. The game is played in two innings of 20 minutes each with a 5 minutes break in between. The teams take turns sending a "raider" across to the opposite team's half with the aim to wrestle one or more members from the opposition into the home half. The tagged member(s) are declred out of the game and sent off the field. The raider must not take his breath while chanting the word Kabaddi constantly.
The defending team form a chain of members with hand in hand with the aim of wrestle the raider in their own half and make him lose breath. If the raider takes breath in the opposition's half, he would be sent of.
Crossing of the boundary by any player line can also cause him to be sent of the game. With each sending of, the opposition scores a point. The team, which accumulates more point at the end of the game is declared winner.
The ace Kabaddi players are Sandeep Lalliyan, Jeeti Kooner, Kaka, Tirath, Sheera Boparai, Soni Saneth, Sonu Ibrahimwal, Tunna Charmiarawala, Gurlal Ganour to name only a few.
The game enjoys great popularity in Indian states like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan. India is trying hard to include this traditional sport in the Olympic Games.
Travel.mapsofindia offers much more information on Kabaddi in India and enchanting tours to watch the International Kite Festival in India.
Last Updated on : 09/10/2013
