Kabaddi is an Indian sport that is extremely popular in India and its neighbouring nations. In India, Kabaddi is known by several names. The game is known as Chedugudu or Hu-Tu-Tu in the southern areas of India. It is affectionately known as Hadudu (for males) and Kit-Kit (for females) in eastern India (for women). In northern India, the game is recognized as Kabaddi. Breathing control, raid, evading, and hand and foot movement are the fundamental abilities required to play Kabaddi. To thrive in the game, which incorporates the qualities of rugby and wrestling, the player needs to gain power and master both offensive and defensive abilities.
Kabaddi’s origins may be traced back to ancient times. In India, Kabaddi was created primarily to help young men enhance their physical speed and strength. Initially, Kabaddi was practised to improve self-defence abilities and to build a fast response to attacks. It also honed the reflexes of those who usually played in groups or teams to counterattack. Kabaddi is also mentioned in Hindu mythology. The Mahabharata, a dramatized rendition of the classic Indian mythology, has made similarities to the game. Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu experiences a difficult time when he is caught in the ‘Chakravyuha’ built by his Battle enemies.
Historians believe that various ancient writings reveal that Kabaddi originated in India throughout the prehistoric period. Arjuna had a particular skill at Kabaddi in the Mahabharata; he could easily slip inside the ‘wall’ of enemies, defeat them all, and return unharmed. According to Buddhist scripture, Gautam Buddha enjoyed playing Kabaddi for amusement. He enjoyed playing the game and used it to demonstrate his power, which allowed him to win his wives. It is clear from the writings uncovered by historians that Kabaddi was a popular sport in prehistoric days.
Kabaddi in Modern India
In modern years, Kabaddi was recognized as a national game in India in 1918. Maharashtra has been praised for taking the game to a national level. As a result, the game’s standards and guidelines were established that same year, but the standards and policies were finally printed a few years later, in 1923. In that same year, an All-India Kabaddi Tournament (AIKT) was held in Baroda, where the players rigorously adhered to the game’s standards and guidelines.
The game has gone a long way since then. The game was launched at the 1938 Indian Olympic Games in Calcutta, earning it widespread acclaim. After that, its popularity grew, and many national-level championships were held around the country.
Kabaddi’s influence has grown over the years, from a popular sport in rural India to a sport recognized at the national level. Many international and national kabaddi tournaments have been held, with the Indian national kabaddi team delivering outstanding achievements.
The introduction of Federation Cup Kabaddi games in India in 1981 was a momentous occasion in the country’s kabaddi history. In 2004, India celebrated another achievement by hosting and winning the first Kabaddi World Cup in Maharashtra. So far, Maharashtra has produced many great Kabaddi players who have achieved international acclaim and honoured the country.
