Kabaddi is a traditional Indian contact sport that originated in ancient India and is now popular throughout South Asia and internationally. The game is played between two teams of seven players each, on a rectangular court divided into two halves.
The core objective of kabaddi is for a single offensive player, called the raider, to enter the opposing team\“s half of the court, tag out as many defenders as possible, and return to their own half - all while holding their breath and chanting kabaddi, kabaddi repeatedly. The raider must do this in one breath, as inhaling breaks the chant and results in the raider being declared out.
Defenders, called antis, work together to stop the raider from returning to their side by tackling and restraining them. Points are scored when raiders successfully tag opponents and return to their side, or when defenders prevent a raider from returning. Players who are tagged or tackled are temporarily out of the game but can be revived when their teammates score points.
Kabaddi requires strength, speed, strategic thinking, and breath control. The game is governed by the International Kabaddi Federation and has gained significant popularity through professional leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League in India. It\“s recognized as the national sport of Bangladesh and the state game of several Indian states including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Punjab. |
