[VIDEO] National Kabaddi players hope to establish sport in 2027 SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR — Kabaddi is a traditional Indian sport that has gained popularity throughout Asia and the Indian subcontinents since it was first played 4,000 years ago.

Originally from Tamil Nadu, Kabaddi is a combative sport that is mainly played amongst the local villagers of India.

Despite Kabaddi being recognised as an international sport that is thousands of years old, it has not been included in the Olympics because it is not played in a minimum of 75 countries across four continents and thus fails to meet the required criteria for inclusion.

To date, only 26 countries, including Malaysia, are actively playing the sport on a professional level.

Since its inclusion in the Olympics is rather farfetched in lieu of current statistics, national Kabaddi players are hoping that the sport would at least be included in the 2027 SEA Games, which will take place in Malaysia.

Speaking to The Vibes in a video interview, former national Kabaddi player Balamurugan Gunasekaran said that it is his dream to see Kabaddi make its Asian debut in the 2027 SEA Games.

Balamurugan, who played in the 2007 Asian Games, hopes that the sport will get the right support from both the Youth and Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council (NSC).

“I hope the status of Kabaddi will be upgraded from Category C to Category B as it would boost its chances of being featured in the SEA Games and receiving better funding. — The Vibes, January 22, 2023