|
|
| |
 |
Though kabaddi is
primarily an Indian game, not much is known about the origin of this game. There
is, however, concrete evidence, that the game is 4,000 year old. It is a team
sport, which requires both skill and power, and combines the characteristics of
wrestling and rugby. It was originally meant to develop self defence, in
addition to responses to attack, and reflexes of counter attack by individuals,
and by groups or teams. |
It is a rather simple and inexpensive game, and neither
requires a massive playing area, nor any expensive equipment. This explains the
popularity of the game in rural India. Kabaddi is played all over Asia with
minor variations.
Kabaddi is known by various names viz. Chedugudu or Hu-Tu-Tu in southern parts of India,
Hadudu (Men) and Chu - Kit-Kit (women) in eastern India, and Kabaddi in northern
India.
The sport is also popular
in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Japan and Pakistan.
The Game
In Kabaddi, two
teams compete with each other for higher scores, by touching or capturing the
players of the opponent team. Each team consists of 12 players, of which seven
are on court at a time, and five in reserve. The two teams fight for higher
scores, alternating defence and offense. The court is as large as that for a
dodge ball game. The game consists of two 20 minute halves, with a break of five
minutes for change of sides.
The kabaddi playing
area is 12.50m x 10m, divided by a line into two halves. The side winning the
toss sends a 'raider', who enters the opponents' court chanting,
'kabaddi-kabaddi'. The raider's aim is to touch any or all players on the
opposing side, and return to his court in one breath. The person, whom the
raider touches, will then be out. The aim of the opposing team, will be to hold
the raider, and stop him from returning to his own court, until he takes another
breath. If the raider cannot return to his court in the same breath while
chanting 'kabaddi', he will be declared out. Each team alternates in sending a
player into the opponents' court. If a player goes out of the boundary line
during the course of the play, or if any part of his body touches the ground
outside the boundary, he will be out, except during a struggle.
Lona
The team scores a lona
( a bonus of two points), if the entire opposition is declared out. The game
then continues by putting all the players on both sides. Matches are staged on
the basis of age-groups, and weight. Seven officials supervise a match - one
referee, two umpires, two linesmen, a time keeper and a scorer.
Types of
Kabaddi
In India, Kabaddi is
recognised in three forms:
The 'Surjeevani' form of Kabaddi is
played under the Kabaddi Federation of India, and is governed by its rules and
regulations. In the 'Surjeevani' form of Kabaddi, one player is revived against
one player of the opposite team who is out. i.e. one out, one in. The duration
of the game, the number of players, the dimensions of the court, etc. have been
fixed by the Kabaddi Federation of India.
In the 'Gaminee'
type of Kabaddi, there is no revival. When all the players of team are out, the
game ends. So there is no time limit in this category.
In the 'Amar' form of
Kabaddi, whenever any player is touched (out), he does not go out of the court,
but stays inside, and one point is awarded to the team that touched him. In this
way, one point for each touch of the opposite team, i.e. to the team who touches
the anti player. This game is also played on a time basis, i .e the time is
fixed.
In the northern part
of the country, i.e. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, this game is
played in a circle. This is known as 'Circle Kabaddi' or Amar Kabaddi. If it is
played without a court, as in some places, it's called 'Goongi Kabaddi'. The
Goongi Kabaddi is nothing but wrestling between two players.
The first world
Kabaddi championship in the history of the game, was organised in Hamilton when
approximately 14,000 people packed Copps Coliseum, to watch stars from India,
Pakistan, Canada, England, and the United States compete.
|
|
|
|
|
