Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a contact team sport originating in the Indian subcontinent in which one player, called the raider, crosses into the opposing team's half, attempts to tag as many defenders as possible, and must return before taking another breath — all while chanting the word "kabaddi" continuously to prove they are not inhaling. The sport combines elements of wrestling, rugby, and tag, demanding both physical strength and tactical awareness.

Origins and history

Kabaddi's precise origins are debated among historians, but the sport is generally believed to have existed in some form for thousands of years across the Indian subcontinent. References to activities resembling kabaddi appear in ancient Tamil literature and in accounts of games played during the Vedic period of South Asian history. Some scholars associate early forms of the game with training exercises used by ancient warriors to develop agility and breath control.

The modern standardised form of kabaddi began to take shape in the 20th century. The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) was established in 1950, and kabaddi was introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, though it did not enter the Olympic programme. The sport was included in the Asian Games for the first time at the 1990 Beijing edition, where the Indian national team won the inaugural gold medal. India has historically dominated international kabaddi competition.

Rules and gameplay

Court and teams

A standard kabaddi court measures 13 metres by 10 metres for men and slightly smaller for women. Each team fields seven players on the court at a time, with a further players available as substitutes. The court is divided by a centre line, and each half contains a baulk line and a bonus line that define scoring zones.

The raid

A raid begins when a single player from the attacking team enters the opposing half. The raider must continuously chant "kabaddi" — or in some regional variants, a comparable phrase — to demonstrate to the referee that they are operating on a single held breath. The raider scores one point for each defender tagged before returning safely to their own half. If the raider tags defenders but is caught before returning, the raider is declared out and the defending team scores a point.

Tackles and outs

Defenders attempt to restrain the raider by grabbing any part of the body and preventing the raider from recrossing the centre line before their breath runs out. A player is considered out when tagged by the raider (and the raider returns safely), when a raider is tackled, or when a player steps out of bounds. Players who are out sit off the court but can be revived when their team scores additional points, a mechanism that keeps the total on-court numbers fluid throughout the match.

Duration and scoring

A standard international kabaddi match consists of two halves of 20 minutes each, separated by a five-minute break. A lona (or all out) — achieved when all seven opponents are simultaneously out — earns the team two bonus points in addition to the seven individual points already accumulated. The team with the most points at the end of regulation wins.

Major variants

Several regional variants of kabaddi exist across South Asia:

• Sanjeevani — the most widely played form internationally, using the revival system described above.
• Gaminee — a variant in which no revival is permitted; a team wins when all opposing players are out, with no time limit.
• Amar — similar to Gaminee but points continue to be scored even after all opponents are out, with no permanent outs; players immediately return to the court.
• Punjab style (also called circle kabaddi) — played on a circular field, popular in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, with somewhat different physical rules allowing holds and wrestling moves.

Competitive kabaddi

International competitions

The primary international governing body is the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), founded in 2004. The IKF organises the Kabaddi World Cup, first held in 2004 in India, which has been dominated by the Indian national team across both men's and women's categories. Kabaddi is also a core sport of the Asian Games and the South Asian Games.

Pro Kabaddi League

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), launched in India in 2014, transformed the commercial profile of the sport. Modelled partly on the Indian Premier League format, the PKL features city-based franchises, auction-based player rosters, and broadcast deals that brought kabaddi to millions of new viewers on television and digital platforms. The PKL became one of the most-watched sports leagues in India within a few seasons of its launch, and it significantly increased player salaries and the sport's international visibility. Several foreign players from Iran, South Korea, and other nations have participated in the PKL, broadening the sport's global footprint.

Asian Games performance

Since kabaddi's inclusion in the 1990 Asian Games, the Indian men's team held an unbroken gold medal record across multiple editions until Iran emerged as a strong rival in the 2010s. The Indian women's team has similarly dominated the women's category. Competition from nations including Iran, South Korea, Japan, and Bangladesh has increased the international competitiveness of the sport.

Cultural significance

Kabaddi holds deep cultural significance in several South Asian countries. It is the national sport of Bangladesh, where it is known as hadudu. In India, it is the state sport of several states including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Telangana. The sport has been celebrated in literature, film, and regional festivals, and grassroots kabaddi competitions remain a fixture of village life across the subcontinent. The growth of the Pro Kabaddi League has introduced the sport to urban audiences and younger demographics who may not have previously engaged with traditional forms of the game.

Frequently asked questions

Is kabaddi an Olympic sport?

Kabaddi is not currently an Olympic sport. It was demonstrated at the 1936 Berlin Olympics but has not been included in the full Olympic programme. The International Kabaddi Federation has pursued Olympic recognition, though as of the early 2020s the sport had not achieved full Olympic status.

Is kabaddi played with any equipment?

Kabaddi requires no specialised equipment beyond a marked court and appropriate sportswear. Players compete barefoot or in lightweight footwear, and no balls, bats, or protective gear are used in the standard indoor form of the game.

Is kabaddi only played in South Asia?

Although kabaddi originated in South Asia and remains most popular there, the sport is played competitively in Iran, South Korea, Japan, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries. The International Kabaddi Federation has member nations across multiple continents.

Is the Pro Kabaddi League the only professional kabaddi competition?

The Pro Kabaddi League in India is the most prominent professional league, but other professional and semi-professional competitions exist, including leagues in Iran and regional competitions within South Asia. The PKL nonetheless draws the largest audiences and the highest-profile players.

Is kabaddi the national sport of India?

Kabaddi is not the national sport of India; field hockey is conventionally cited in that role, though India has no officially designated national sport by government statute. Kabaddi is, however, the national sport of Bangladesh and holds special status in several Indian states.