Andhra Pradesh and Bihar Won Bronze Medal at the 33rd Sub-Junior National Kabaddi Championship

The future of Kabaddi is bright, and it was on full display at the recently concluded 33rd Sub-Junior National Kabaddi Championship (Boys) held from March 16th to 19th, 2024. The tournament was hosted at the GD Goenka Public School in Motihari, Bihar. Andhra Pradesh and Bihar won the bronze medal defeating Bihar is their final battle.

Organized by the East Champaran Kabaddi Federation under the watchful eye of the Bihar State Kabaddi Federation and affiliated with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), this championship provided a platform for budding Kabaddi stars to shine.

Kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in Indian culture, thrives on its rich traditions. The 33rd Sub-Junior Nationals upheld this spirit by inviting renowned personalities from the Kabaddi world to grace the event. Deepak Hooda, a prestigious Arjuna Award winner and a Pro Kabaddi League player, served as the Chief Guest for the opening ceremony, inspiring the young participants with his achievements. Other esteemed guests included:

• Rajeev Kumar Singh, an Asian Games Gold Medalist
• Sandeep Kumar, a player for the Patna Pirates in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL)
• Sagar Kumar, a World Kabaddi Gold Medalist

The closing ceremony is scheduled to be graced by Pawan Sehrawat, another star player in the PKL. These renowned figures not only validate the importance of the Sub-Junior Nationals but also serve as role models for aspiring Kabaddi players.

The path to the bronze medal for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar was a tough one. Andhra lost their semifinal round against Haryana by 15 points. The final scoreline of the match was Haryana 51-36 Andhra Pradesh. While Bihar lost their semifinal round against SAI and the final scoreline of the match was SAI 33-28 Bihar.

However, in the league and quarter-final matches, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar showcased their determination and strategic gameplay to come out victorious. Andhra defeated Punjab in the quarterfinals and the final score was Andhra Pradesh 32-30 Punjab. Meanwhile, Bihar defeated Goa by 11 points, the final score of the match was Bihar 43-32 Goa.

The 33rd Sub-Junior National Kabaddi Championship serves a vital purpose beyond crowning a champion. It provides a platform for young talent to be scouted, nurtured, and groomed into future Kabaddi stars. Tournaments like these create a robust pipeline of talent that feeds into the Pro Kabaddi League and ultimately strengthens the Indian Kabaddi team on the international stage.