Kabbad

Kabbadi is a popular traditional sport originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is a contact team sport, played between two teams of seven players each. The objective of the game is for a single player on offense, referred to as a "raider", to run into the opposing team's half of a court, tag out as many of their defenders as possible, and return to their own half of the court, all without being tackled by the defenders.

History

The origins of Kabbadi can be traced back to ancient times, with references found in Hindu mythology and Buddhist literature. It was primarily a game played in rural areas, used as a way to develop physical strength and speed. Over time, Kabbadi has evolved into a competitive sport, with formal rules and regulations.

Gameplay

A match of Kabbadi is played over two halves of 20 minutes each, with a five-minute half-time break. The teams switch sides following the half-time break. Each team scores points by tagging the opponents and returning to their side of the court without being tackled. The team with the most points at the end of the match is declared the winner.

International Recognition

Kabbadi has gained international recognition, with the establishment of the International Kabbadi Federation (IKF) in 2004. The IKF organizes the Kabbadi World Cup, which has been held every year since its inception. Kabbadi is also a part of the Asian Games and the South Asian Games.

Variations

There are several variations of Kabbadi, including Punjabi Kabbadi, Sanjeevani Kabbadi, and Amar Kabbadi. Each variation has its own set of rules and regulations, but the basic premise of the game remains the same.

See Also

• List of Kabbadi players
• Kabbadi in India
• Kabbadi World Cup