Development Of Kabaddi Game

Development Of Kabaddi Game:

Kabaddi attained National status in the year 1918.Maharashtra was the pioneer state to bring the game to the National platform and give it further popularity.Standard rules and regulations were formulated in 1918 but were brought out in print in the year 1923 and in this very year,an All India Tournament was organized at Baroda with these rules. Kabaddi has not looked back since then and numerous tournaments are organized all over the country through out the year.

Kabaddi received its first inter-National exposure during the 1936 Berlin Olympics ,demonstrated by Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Amaravathi,Maharashtra.The game was introduced in the Indian Olympic Games at Calcutta,in the year 1938.It was in 1950,that the All India Kabaddi Federation came into existence. Regular conduct of National level championships as per laid down rules and regulations began with effect from the year 1952.After the formation of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India,the first men's Nationals were held in Madras ,while the women's Nationals were held in Calcutta in the year 1955.

The rules were modified and some changes were introduced to the game during the National Championships held at New Delhi in the year 1954.Efforts were made to demonstrate the game in the World Youth Festival held at ,Moscow in the year 1957,but due to various unforeseen reasons,this could not be accomplished.The game was included in the curriculum of the Indian University sports Control Board as a main sports discipline in the year 1961.

The game got further recognition when the  School Games Federation of India included it in the school games in the year 1962.This boy has taken up the responsibility of organizing state and national level competitions for school going children all over the country in various sports on a regular basis,every year.

The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India,the new body,came into existence in the year 1972.This body was formed with a view to popularize the game in the neighboring countries and organize regular National level Men and Women tournaments. After the formation of this body,sub-junior and junior sections were included in Kabaddi national level tournaments,as a regular feature.

Kabaddi was included in the curriculum of Regular Diploma courses in coaching conducted by the National Institute of Sports,the premier institute to develop sports in the country with effect from the year 1971.There after,qualified coaches in Kabaddiare being produced every year.The neighboring countries ,Nepal & Bangladesh also send their coaches Kabaddi,regularly.These qualified coaches are equipped to train players at different levels in a systematic manner with sports science back up.

In the year 1974,the Indian men's team toured Bangladesh as part of the cultural exchange program to play five fest matches in different parts of the country.The Bangladesh returned the visit in the year 1979 and played five fest matches in India.

The Asian Amateur Kabaddi Federation was formed in the year 1.978,during the silver jubilee celebrations of National Kabaddi Championships in India,organized at Bhila, Madhya Pradesh. The first Asian Championship in Kabaddi was organized in Calcutta,in the year 1980.A goodwill tour was organized in the year 1981 in which,the Indian men&women teams visited Thailand ,Japan and Malaysia to play exhibition Kabaddi matches.Federation Cup Kabaddi matches also commenced in the year 1981.

Kabaddi was included as a demonstration game in the IX Asian Games hosted by India in the year 1982.In the year 1984,an open Inter-National tournament was organized at Bombay in India. During the Tri-Centenary celebrations of the city of Calcutta,an inter National Invitation Kabaddi Tournament was organized in the city.

The South Asian Federation included Kabaddi as a regular sports discipline from the year 1984. Kabaddi was played for first time in the SAF games at Dacca,Bangladesh.Since then Kabaddi is being included in every SAF Games,which is played every once in two years.For the first time in the Inter-National Kabaddi scenario,India faced defeat at the hands of Pakistan and had to be satisfied with second place,winning the silver medal,in the VISAF Games at Dacca,Bangladesh,in the year 1993.

The south Asian Championship was hosted by India and was organized at Jaipur, Rajasthan. Malaysia and Japan participated for the first time in Championship.In the XI Asian Games held in the year 1990 at Bejing,China,Kabaddi was included in the main disciplines.This was a major landmark in the history of Kabaddi. India won the Gold medal,which was a proud and unforgettable moment for Kabaddi lovers who had strives to bring Kabaddi to the Asian platform.India has been the reigning champion in the succeeding Asian Games held in 1994 at Hiroshima,Japan and in the Asian Games held in 1998 at Bangkok in Thailand.

An International Women Kabaddi tournament commenced in the year 1995,called the Nike Gold Cup,sponsored by NIKE,Japan.The III Asian Championship was hosted by Sri-Lanka in the year 2000.For the first time,Sri-Lanka secured a silver medal,defeating kabaddi stalwarts Pakistan,in this Championship.

Kabaddi will be introduced to the African countries as a demonstration Sports in the Afro-Asian Games,which is to be hosted by India in the year 2002.This is a feather in the cap for Kabaddi lovers and has been made possible thanks to the efforts of Mr.J.S.Gehlot,President,Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India and the Indian Olympic Association.