Kabaddi is a popular contact sport in Southern Asia that first originated in Ancient India. It is played across the country and is the official game in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Outside of India it is a popular activity in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, is the National Sport of Bangladesh and is also one of the National Sports of Nepal as well where it is taught at school level. Kabaddi is also popular in other parts of the world where there are Indian and Indian and Pakistani communities such as in the United Kingdom where the sport is governed by the England Kabaddi Federation, England Kabaddi Association, England kabaddi Union, British Kabaddi Federation etc. in UK and Canadian Amateur Kabaddi Federation. Canada Kabaddi Association etc. and there are also multiple Kabaddi Federations in India but Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India which is oldest and supreme body but struggling from lot of politics due to long term (several decades) family-owned business as per various kabaddi officials but Kabaddi Federation of India working towards the development in India.

The modern Kabaddi game was played all over India and some parts of South Asia from 1930. The first known framework of the rules of Kabaddi as an indigenous sport of India was prepared in Maharashtra in the year 1921 for Kabaddi competitions on the pattern of Sanjeevani and Gemini in a combined form. Thereafter a committee was constituted in the year 1923, which amended the rules framed in 1921. The amended rules were applied during the All India Kabaddi Tournament organized in 1923. The origin of the game dates to pre-historic times played in different forms.

The All India Kabaddi Federation was formed in the year 1950 to look after the promotion of the game and the Senior National championship started from the year 1952. The new body, Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) came into existence from the year 1972 affiliated to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) with a view to popularize the game in India & neighboring countries of Asia. After formation of this body, Kabaddi took a new shape and National level competitions started for Junior and Sub-Junior Boys & Girls as well.

The 1st Asian Kabaddi Championship was held in the year 1980 and was included as a demonstration game in the 9th Asian Games, New Delhi in the year 1982. The game was included in the South Asian Federation (SAF) games from the year 1984 at Dacca, Bangladesh. Kabaddi was included as a discipline in the 11th Asian Games Beijing 1990 and India won the lone Gold Medal of Kabaddi in the 11th Asian Games Beijing 1990. India is the reigning champion in the succeeding Asian Games held in Hiroshima 1994, Bangkok 1998, and Busan 2002 & recently at Doha 2006 and created history in Indian sports by winning five consecutive gold medals in the Asian Games so far.

For the first time in the history of Asian Games a separate indoor stadium was built for Kabaddi competition and training in the 15th Asian Games held at Doha [Qatar] 2006. The main field of play was equipped with a giant public screen, which displayed replays and the running score. Two ‘Tissot’ plasma scoreboards, info terminals for the presentation crew, the ceremony crew and the media were provided.

There has been a gradual but significant change in the trends of the game since the past 50 years. What was once considered a game of brawn is not so now. The introduction of mats, shoes, new techniques & changes in rules has made the sport more interesting and advantageous to skilled players who are now able to defeat heavier players with better skills & techniques.

(Source Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India)