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Kabaddi Games |
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Origin: The game is essentially an Indian one, though there
is no clear-cut evidence about its origin. The game of kabaddi is in
existence for over 4000 years. The historian’s surmise is that the
game might have developed during prehistoric times when man was forced
to defend himself from sudden attacks from ferocious beasts. They used
to form groups of individuals and attack the animal. There is also another school of thought, more
particularly, in India, which believes that the game might have emerged
from the battle of “Kurukshetra”, a very absorbing episode
exceptionally told in one of the famous Indian epics, “Mahabharatha”.
(It is in this historic battlefield, Lord Krishna, acting as a
charioteer to Arjuna gave to this world one of the best magnum opus
ever, “The Bhagavat Gita”). In that particular episode, Arjuna’s
son, Abhimanyu was engaged in a fierce battle with a set of 7 fighters.
They skillfully defended themselves by instituting a difficult blockade
called “Chakravyuha” (It resembles a chariot wheel).
He successfully assaulted the warriors and broke
the blockade. (However, Abhimanyu was killed in the end). The important
point is that he had broken the blockade. The game of Kabaddi is
believed to have developed from this episode of the Epic Mahabharatha. A
raider (Abhimanyu) raids the 7 warriors (the opposing team) in their
courtyard! This is the basis of kabaddi! Kabaddi is an outdoor team sport. It requires
stamina, both mental and physical skills, extraordinary reflexes and
exceptional eye-hand-leg coordination. It has a distinct flavor which
resembles in some aspects that of both wresting and rugby. It is a game played throughout Asia with very minor changes and totally new to the other parts of the world. In a very short time that the game is played – normally 40 minutes with a break of 5 or 10 minutes in the middle – it exercises your whole body. |
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