Why are we 'backbenchers' in Kabadi?

After Manchester City clinched the Champions League title, reporters asked Pep Guardiola, the club's coach, about the secret to their success. His response was refreshingly straightforward: "There is no mystery. From the president of the club to the staff on the ground, everyone is aligned with the same goal."

In stark contrast, the sports landscape in Bangladesh reveals a different story. Here, officials are often caught up in factionalism—each executive committee operates like an isolated island. The president and the general secretary frequently find themselves at odds, while other officials form rival groups. Allegations of favoritism against technical staff abound. In search of a shortcut to success, genuine development activities are being placed in the deep fridge. The tendency to receive praise from sports administration for success in table games is also frequently observed.

As a result, the entire sports framework feels derailed, struggling to reach its distant objectives for years. This stagnation is vividly illustrated in the state of kabadi, our national game, where we find ourselves in the role of 'back-benchers.'

Bangladesh Kabadi has lost its once-clear path to success. The sport, which used to secure regular medals at the Asian Games, has seen the men's team without a medal since the 2006 Doha Games. Kabadi made its debut at the Asian Games in 1990, and Bangladesh initially shone, winning silver in the 1994 Hiroshima Games, bronze in the 1998 Bangkok Games, and reclaiming silver at the 2002 Busan Games. However, since securing bronze at the Doha Games in 2006, the men’s team has faced a string of disappointments, returning empty-handed from the 2010 Guangzhou Games (fifth), the 2014 Incheon Games (seventh), the 2018 Jakarta Games (fifth), and the 2022 Hangzhou Games (fifth).

Women’s Kabadi was introduced at the Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010, where Bangladesh won bronze in its inaugural tournament. The team retained bronze at the 2014 Incheon Games as well, but like the men’s team, the women’s squad has also struggled to maintain its success. They finished seventh in the 2018 Jakarta Games and sixth in the 2022 Hangzhou Games. Whether the red-greens can regain their footing in both the men’s and women’s divisions remains uncertain, especially given the lack of coordination in domestic activities. For now, optimism is hard to come by.

It's important to note that Bangladesh has hosted four consecutive Bangabandhu Cup international kabadi competitions in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, and the host nation emerged victorious in all four tournaments. While this invitational event was seen as a success, it has raised several questions, particularly regarding the absence of top-tier kabadi teams. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that Bangladesh may have exploited its position as the host to gain an unfair advantage. However, officials from the Kabadi Federation have consistently denied these claims.

A bronze medal win at the Junior World Cup sparked hopes for a turnaround, but the momentum could not be sustained. After the successful event held on Kish Island in Iran in 2019, Bangladesh returned empty-handed from the subsequent tournament in 2023, where Nepal secured bronze by defeating Bangladesh.

As of now, planning for the next season in 2025 has not yet commenced. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has removed the President and General Secretary of the Kabadi Federation, creating a leadership vacuum in the national game. This has resulted in a standstill of both domestic and international activities. Unfortunately, due to these challenges, Bangladesh was unable to send a team to the recently concluded Beach Kabadi World Cup.

Historically, the primary issue for Bangladesh Kabadi was financial instability. However, previous committees have successfully addressed these financial challenges, demonstrating that any sport can attract investment and strengthen its financial framework. Despite securing funding, a lack of planning and coordination among officials has prevented Kabadi from overcoming its setbacks. Nonetheless, during this time, domestic events like the IGP Cup National Youth Kabadi and various international competitions were of world-class standards.

To advance the national game of Kabadi, it is crucial to invigorate all types of domestic activities while maintaining the financial momentum seen in recent years. The significant challenge lies in uniting players, coaches, technical officials, federation members, and grassroots organizers. Stakeholders believe that reducing the distance between these groups will open up pathways for improvement and growth in the sport.

The world of kabadi is dominated by superpowers like India and Iran, with Pakistan also outperforming Bangladesh in this sport. Other countries are making significant strides by adopting modern practices and providing better facilities for their athletes. Unfortunately, Bangladesh is falling behind due to ineffective measures in these crucial areas.

Abdul Haque, who previously completed a coach’s course in Patiala, India, is no longer active in coaching due to age. Meanwhile, former players Subimal Chandra Das and Abdul Jalil continue to oversee various coaching activities. Hamidur Rahman and Abdul Hakim hold diplomas in kabadi coaching from Patiala, and Khan Md. Imtiaz has completed a short course under the supervision of the Sports Authority of India. Additionally, coaches like Zayed Hossain, Prosenjit Biswas, and Mohammad Sagar are also involved, but the overall number of coaches with modern kabadi knowledge remains alarmingly low.

In terms of kabadi, Iran, India, and Pakistan have far outpaced Bangladesh. These countries benefit from numerous coaches with modern ideas and actively incorporate sports science to enhance their game. In contrast, Bangladesh is lagging significantly. There is a disconnect in how players should practice to improve their skills, as well as in their dietary and recovery processes post-training. Furthermore, while the federation provides some support for injured players, it is not fully reliable. Issues of grouping and lobbying among those working on the technical aspects within the federation also hinder progress.

Overall, there is a glaring lack of coordinated effort to overcome the challenges facing the national game and to initiate meaningful change. Experts believe that without a decisive strategy to address these issues, the future of kabadi in Bangladesh remains bleak.

At the grassroots level, the situation is even more concerning. The practice of this traditional game in villages has nearly vanished. While some activities are conducted at the upazila, district, and divisional sports organization levels, they often feel disconnected and ineffective. Various support groups attempt to nurture talent for the national team, but the absence of a unified effort from grassroots to national levels has left Bangladesh Kabadi in disarray, as experts in the field observe.

The 2021 IGP Cup highlighted a troubling trend of talent loss in Bangladesh Kabadi. This event, which generated significant excitement across the country, showcased a plethora of promising young players in both the boys' and women's categories—athletes who had the potential to transform the sport in Bangladesh. However, due to a lack of proper planning and coordinated support, many grassroots players have been overlooked and lost through the IGP Cup National Youth Kabadi Competition.

The ongoing struggle in the national game is often overshadowed by glimpses of potential, such as the case of Mizanur Rahman. This talented raider shone during the latest Bangabandhu Cup and has since been signed by the Indian Pro Kabadi team, Dabang Delhi Kabadi Club. In previous years, players like Arduzzaman Munsi, Tuhin Tarafdar, Ziaur Rahman (Junior), Liton Ali, Masud Karim, Arif Rabbani, and Sajid Hossain have also made their mark in Pro Kabadi. Unfortunately, the country lacks effective initiatives to unite and nurture the talented players emerging from these competitions.

The International Kabadi Organization currently has 24 permanent member countries, with an initial membership of 12. In terms of skill, Bangladesh ranks 5th or 6th globally, indicating that the country is not far from the top positions in world kabadi. Moving into the top three from this standing is certainly achievable. If Bangladesh can reach that level, it would significantly enhance its chances of winning medals in prestigious events like the Asian Games and the World Cup. Securing these medals would then pave the way for further improvements and development in the sport.

Mahbub Sarker: Sports journalist and analyst