Kabaddi is a traditional Indian contact sport that originated in ancient India and is now played internationally. The game involves two teams of seven players each, competing on a rectangular court divided into two halves.
The objective of kabaddi is for a single player on offense, called a raider, to run into the opposing team\“s half of the court, tag out as many of their defenders as possible, and return to their own half, all while holding their breath and chanting kabaddi. The raider must do this in a single breath, continuously chanting the word kabaddi to prove they are not inhaling.
Defenders try to stop the raider by tackling them and holding them until they run out of breath or force them out of bounds. Points are scored when a raider successfully tags defenders and returns to their side, or when defenders prevent a raider from returning to their side.
The game is played in two halves of 20 minutes each, with a five-minute halftime break. Teams switch sides after halftime. Kabaddi requires strength, speed, stamina, and strategic thinking, making it both physically demanding and mentally challenging.
This indigenous Indian sport has gained international recognition and is now part of major sporting events like the Asian Games. Its simple rules and minimal equipment requirements have contributed to its popularity across rural and urban areas of India. |
