Development Of the Game

Development Of the Game:

There is a gradual but marked change in the style of the game during the past fifty years.What was once considered a game of brawn is not so now.The introduction of more techniques to the came has made it relatively easier for a player with more skill than weight to score points against better-built opponents.

Over the years,the game's pattern changed along with the rules and the size of the play field. The concept of Kabaddi as an indigenous Game of India first came up during the year 1921 in Maharashtra,when a certain frame network of rules was prepared and the game was played on the pattern of Sanjeevani & Gemini in a combined form.A special committee was constituted in 1923 which amended the rules.These rules were applied in an All India Kabaddi Tournament organized during the same year.It was the Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Amaravathi. Maharashtra,which took up the task of organizing and developing Kabaddi in a more systematic &scientific manner.This institution believes in the maxim "A healthy mind in a healthy body",and has been doing yeoman's service to sports in general and indigenous games in particular,over the years.During the years 1927 to 1952,Kabaddi was played in different parts of the country based on rules framed by the various clubs and organizing committees,which mushroomed and gained in prominence.There were frequent disputes over the rules and regulations followed in various parts of the country.In Maharashtra,the pioneering state to regularize the game and bring it to the National Platform,Kabaddi,which was known as "Hu-Tu-Tu",was played according to the rules framed by Deccan Gymkhana from  1928 to 1938.

The introduction of the game to the Inter-national arena as a demonstration game in the 1936 Berlin Olympics led to the inclusion of Kabaddi in the list of priority games of the Indian Olympic Committee,in the year 1940.Thereafter ,inter-provincial Kabaddi tournaments were organized biannually.

The matches at the district and provincial level were played as per the rules framed by the Akhil Maharashtra Sharirik Shikshan Mandal,while the inter-Provincial Championships were based on Buck's Rules of Games and Sports,published by Mr.H.C Buck,Founder principal of YMCA College of Physical Education Madras.

The Indian Olympic Games were re-named as National Games in the year 1952 and are since being organized once in a year instead of biannually. The All India Kabaddi Federation,which was formed in the year 1952 appointed a 'Rules Sub-Committee'with the express purpose of laying down standard rules and regulations to be followed by affiliated provincial units all over the country.A new rules were framed by the Rules Sub-Committee based on Buck's Rules and the game rules followed till then by the Akhil Maharashtra Sharirik Shikshan Mandal.

The game's pattern also changed over the years, along with the standardization of rules and regulations.Some of the major changes in the game's pattern include the introduction of the Unproductive Raid Rule,Timeout system,Bonus Line Game,etc that did not change the basic structure of the game but all the same had a lot of the game are being elaborated in this chapter for the benefit of the readers.