Photo by Tehmasip Khan:
A fast-paced contact sport, Kabaddi is popular in several Asian countries. However, it goes beyond that for Bangladesh. Traditionally known as ha-du-du, Kabaddi is Bangladesh’s national sport and is deeply rooted in the country’s culture and traditions, having been played for centuries.
Being an indigenous sport, Kabaddi was predominant in the rural areas of Bangladesh among children and adults with different sets of rules in diverse locations. However, efforts are being made to increase the sport’s prominence in the country today, as we will discuss in this article.
It is also noteworthy that the sport has grown beyond Asia to gain recognition globally. Thanks to major Kabaddi tournaments like India’s Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), and the Kabaddi World Cup, the sport has gained considerable followership worldwide. Also, these events attract massive betting action in Asia and internationally, with popular sportsbooks like Parimatch allowing bettors to place wagers on their favorite kabaddi teams and players.
Origin and History of Kabaddi in Bangladesh
The origin of Kabaddi dates over 4,000 years ago in prehistoric India—Tamil Nadu—and there are multiple stories regarding its origin. Some sources claimed it is a form of physical training for soldiers and young men to launch and defend against group attacks. Some also said it enhanced the strength, stealth, and reflexes needed for hunting.
However, one of the most popular stories behind Kabaddi’s origin is found in certain Hindu myths. For instance, the sport is mentioned in the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian poem that depicts the skillful Arjuna using his kabaddi abilities to infiltrate enemy camps, carry out attacks, and return unharmed without being noticed.
The game was introduced to Bangladesh during the Mughal Empire in the 16th century, where it was played as a recreational sport in rural areas. However, with the introduction of modern rules, equipment, and professional authorities and events, Kabaddi became a professional sport in the country.
Kabaddi Gameplay
Kabaddi is an action-packed game that puts the player’s strength, agility, speed, and intellectual strategy to the ultimate test. The game is played on a rectangular court measuring 10 meters by 13 meters between two teams of seven players. The “raider” from one team crosses over to the opposing team’s half of the court and tries to touch one or more opponents while holding his breath and chanting the word “kabaddi” repeatedly.
If the raider successfully tags one or more opponents and returns to their own half without being tackled within 30 seconds, their team scores a point. If he is tackled, the defending team scores a point, and the raider is out for the remainder of that particular raid. The game continues with alternating raids until all players on one team have been eliminated or a predetermined time limit has been reached.
The Bangladesh Amateur Kabaddi Federation
Kabaddi started gathering massive traction in India with the establishment of the All India Kabaddi Federation (AIKF) in 1950 and the formation of standard rules and regulations for the sport. This resulted in the development of the sport around Asia, including the establishment of the Bangladesh Amateur Kabaddi Federation (BAKF) in 1973. This body is responsible for governing, regulating, and promoting the sport in Bangladesh, and it started by introducing standard rules similar to the AIKF. Also, the federation’s primary focus is on developing Kabaddi at the grassroots level and nurturing young talent nationwide.
Shortly after the formation of the BAKF in 1973, Bangladesh played its first test match against India in 1974. The Bangladesh teams that faced off against the visiting India team include the district teams of:
- Dhaka
- Tangail
- Dinajpur
- Jessore
- Faridpur
- Comilla
A return test between both countries resumed in 1979 in India’s home soil, including Punjab, Bombay, and Hyderabad. Also, the BAKF joined the Asian Amateur Kabaddi Federation as a founding member in 1978, and soon, the Asian Kabaddi Championship kicked off in 1980. Bangladesh emerged as the runners-up in this Championship, and India won. Bangladesh again emerged runners-up in the second edition of the Championship held in Jaipur, India, in 1988.
Asian Games
Kabaddi was first played as a demonstration sport in the 1982 Asian Games hosted in New Delhi. However, it was properly included as a medal sport in the Asian Games hosted in Beijing in 1990, where Bangladesh clinched the silver medal after losing to India in the finals. Bangladesh won the silver medal two more years in 1994 and 2002, and got bronze medals in other seasons, including 1998, 2006, 2010, and 2014.
Apart from the Asian Games, Bangladesh continued in other international and regional kabaddi tournaments, including South Asian Games and World Cup Kabaddi. But unfortunately, Bangladesh has not been able to win any gold medals in these significant competitions to date, although they have won multiple silver and bronze medals.
However, this is expected to change as hopes are high for the next Asian Games, slated for May 2023. The event was initially planned to be held in 2022 and hosted in Hangzhou, China, but the date was moved due to the rise of Covid-19 in the area.
Kabaddi in Bangladesh Today
Being an indigenous sport, Kabaddi is predominant in rural Bangladesh, where it is played recreationally and during local festivities. Even with notable developments like the naming of the sport as the country’s national sport in 1972 or the formation of the Bangladesh Amateur Kabaddi Federation (BAKF), now Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF), the sport is nowhere near its counterparts like football and cricket in terms of funding and sponsorships.
This has affected the country’s participation in regional and international kabaddi events. For instance, Bangladesh has never won any major kabaddi tournament, only silver and bronze medals.
However, the BKF is making efforts to ensure the sport grows both at the amateur and professional levels. One of these includes the formation of the Bangabandhu Cup, an international kabaddi tournament held in Bangladesh. The tournament witnessed major action from some of the best kabaddi nations, including:
- Bangladesh
- Kenya
- Chinese Taipei
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Poland
- England
- Iraq
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Argentina
- Thailand
Other notable Bangladesh Kabaddi competitions include the National Kabadi Competition, National Youth Kabadi Competition, Premier Kabaddi, First Division Kabaddi League, Second Division Kabaddi League, etc.
Conclusion
Kabaddi is much more than just a sport in Bangladesh. It is deeply rooted in the country’s culture and has become an integral part of the national identity. Although the country still has a long way to go regarding international success and prominence, it has made its mark in the sport with medals and accolades from major tournaments. Also, the future looks promising, with the significant contributions of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation to the development and popularization of the sport in the country.
