We are invincible for now

India has proved yet again that there is at least one sport where they remain the undisputed leaders, a stranglehold they have been consolidating with international outing. Indeed, India has earned global salutation because of their natural flair for kabaddi, a rugged sport that has its origins in the countryside.

Taken against this track-record that is loaded in India’s favour, the equation is such that the rest of the contenders have to fight for the second spot.

At least that is the situation that exists in the given circumstances. Although, an Indian sport, kabaddi has been growing across the globe by leaps and bounds, augurs well for the sport as it also enhances the country’s image.

It remains the only discipline where the country has been enjoying a remarkable consistency at the top. Fortunes have fluctuated in cricket every now and then but not in kabaddi.

In a way, one should give credit to the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) for going all-out to not only keep alive interest for the sport, but actually taking it to the metros, where it enjoys an elite status, so to say. It is today a popular and professional career choice in many countries like Argentina, Australia, USA, Poland and several Asian nations.

That the International Kabaddi Federation has given importance to India in its bid to boost the sport’s popularity has to be mentioned in particular.

A good development has been the overwhelming response from Star Sports, the broadcaster that has rendered an admirable job in making kabaddi a prime time sport.

True to speak, it has been cashing in on the craze for the sport that bears an international aura that is no les envious than that enjoyed by other popular sports like cricket, tennis or basketball. It is a tribute to the promoters of the sport that kabaddi matches are the topics of heated discussions.

It goes without saying that a big factor that helped boost the sport’s image has been the timing and subsequent success of Pro Kabaddi League, which has enjoyed super success in all the three seasons. It can only get better.

Now that India have a hat-trick of World Cup wins and with the PKL furthering the image, it is time the think tank comes up with a blueprint that can bolster the image further and help penetrate in to newer nations.

Despite the rising image, there is a need to streamline the sport to such an extent that it should not be seen as an Asian sport, a tag that still remains despite the successful conduct of World Cups.

A way forward will be in Indians going all over the globe and imparting skills so that competitions get to be more qualitative.

Technically, the overseas teams may perhaps pip Indians at their own game, but at the end of the day it is kabaddi that will gain tremendously, which can pave the way for its inclusion in Olympics, a demand the Indian lobby has been pitching in for all these years.