Kabaddi is a game of strength. I have already written a lot about Kabaddi. From its history to the modern form of Kabaddi pro leagues. You can read my previous articles on Kabaddi.
- Birth and History of the game of Kabaddi
- Pro-Kabaddi League and its changed format
- Increased Popularity of Kabaddi
There are various benefits of playing the game. It has now become the second most popular game in India. A lot of money is being poured in the game by the sponsors to get the eye balls if their target customers.
This has started attracting the youth to this game. This is the game of skills, strength and patience. However, there is no dirth of people who come in just for the sake of money. This will have a long lasting impact on the game.
In an unprecedented incidence in India, a Kabaddi player died on the court. There is a video footage of his death.
(Source: Youtube)
Narendra Sahu (deceased player) raided the opponent’s court and while making a return was pulled by a player and then others too got in the act. He was soon out of breath and then fell unconscious.
The 20-year-old man died in the ring during a match of a kabaddi competition at Goji village in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh.
What is more disturbing here is that it was not exceptional raid, it was not anything which could have caused death to otherwise a normal player.
Legal Complications
Narendra was rushed to Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences where doctors declared him dead. The local police reached the ground and interrogated the spectators. A case has been registered and an investigation is on.
Even before this incidence, there were many brushes between the law enforcement and the kabaddi players in India. There are Male Kabaddi players who are found to be abusing their woman counterparts, there are kabaddi players who are also the chain snatchers and were arrested in certain cases. In addition to that
- During the COVID period of lockdown players were arrested for flouting the rules to play kabaddi in the state of Orissa.
- In another incidence Kabaddi player was shot dead when Punjab police fired at them.
- The kabaddi players were in the news when they joined the nation wide protest of the farmers which later became violent and was declared anti national.
- In southern India there were incidences of suicide by the kabaddi players for lack of money.
These episodes bring the game of kabaddi in a negative lime light. There is a significant inequality amongst the players of the Kabaddi. The players in pro leagues are living lavish life styles but those who are not picked up by the leagues are living a terrible lives. Kabaddi is not only the glamorous game but its also associated with the real life issues of the country like India.
In the case of Narendra Sahu, its really important to watch how the law enforcement reacts. Will they arrest the players who were opponents as they were the reason of death or will it be a part of game.
The decision is likely to have sever impact on the game of Kabaddi in the near term. Arrests of the players would leave a bad taste for the sports lovers in an otherwise popular game of the Kabaddi.