Why Kabaddi Is Not A Part Of Olympics?

Before answering these questions, let us take a look at what Kabaddi is and how it is played.

Kabaddi Mythology

The earliest form of the game may have originated during  in Ancient India, including speculations from the Indian epic Mahabharata. For many years, Kabaddi was practiced in Indian Vedic schools with earliest references found in writings by Tukaram pointing that Lord Krishna played Kabaddi as a boy!!

GAME MAY HAVE ORIGINATED DURING  IN ANCIENT INDIA, INCLUDING SPECULATIONS FROM THE INDIAN EPIC MAHABHARATA

Kabaddi is an extremely fast sport. It takes just 40 minutes for a match to be decided. These 40 minutes are packed with exhilarating action as two teams face off in a battle of strength and speed. The viewers are sure to have their eyes fixed at the event, which would take less time than an episode of a TV series which most of us are fans of. Even an episode of Game of thrones takes more time guys!!!

KABADDI IS A SHORT BUT INTENSE GAME

Nations That Have Embraced Kabaddi With A Bear Hug

The players participating in Kabaddi need to be extremely fit and agile. Kabaddi is a widely followed sport. Countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Iran have chosen Kabaddi as their national sport. The sport is played all over the world with a variety of countries from Spain, Kenya, Japan, Canada, Poland, Argentina and a lot more participating in the Kabaddi World Cup apart from the Asian nations like Iran, Pakistan, Korea and India.

Teams which have a Kabaddi federation in green. Other countries which play Kabaddi in pink.

What Are The Pre-Requisites For A Game To Be Included In Olympics?

The number of countries and continents has never been in question in Kabaddi, but the lack of a professional Kabaddi association and league hampers the sport’s chances of being part of the Olympics.

OLYMPICS REQUIRES A SPORT TO BE PLAYED IN 75 NATIONS ACROSS 4 CONTINENTS TO INCLUDE IT IN THE GAMES. CURRENTLY ONLY 26 COUNTRIES HAVE NATIONAL FEDERATIONS OR GOVERNING BODY FOR KABADDI.

There are a good number of countries playing Kabaddi, but all of them don’t have their own professional associations which are a must for any sport to progress in a country. So, if all the countries who play Kabaddi invest in making it a professional sport in their country, Kabaddi can put forth their name for consideration. Currently only 26 countries have national federations or governing body for Kabaddi. The Olympics, which showcases the fittest athletes in the world would be a richer competition if the brawn and swiftness of Kabaddi players is added to it

Why Is Kabaddi Not So Popular?

Wrong question. Kabaddi is very popular.  Kabaddi is watched all over the world. The first match of season 1 of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi was witnessed by 10 times the number of people who tuned in to see the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in India. Being the second most populated country in the world, it is not a big achievement but the fan following was not only from India, it was from all over the world and the statistics becomes more shocking when we get to know that this figure saw an increase of 45% in the second season. Football’s popularity is well known and to see the biggest event in the sport surpassed easily by a Kabaddi match is welcome news for fans of the sport.

FOOTBALL’S POPULARITY IS WELL KNOWN AND TO SEE THE BIGGEST EVENT IN THE SPORT SURPASSED EASILY BY A KABADDI MATCH IS WELCOME NEWS FOR FANS OF THE SPORT.

The viewers will only increase as the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi season 3 starts on January 30. Let us hope that this event along with the World Kabaddi League will ensure that Kabaddi becomes an event in Olympics soon.