'National sport’ kabaddi: Past, present and future

As the national sport, kabaddi is supposed to hold special significance among the country’s 52 sports federations. That significance had long been confined to paper. Is the path now widening for kabaddi to emerge from that ‘book-bound’ state? Various events at home and abroad, priority in the activities of the National Sports Council, and Bangladesh’s growing importance in the international arena around kabaddi all point in that direction.

It was once a far-fetched dream that the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation might be allotted a full-fledged sports complex built on 10 acres of land for 20 years. What was once a fantasy has become a reality in Bangladesh’s kabaddi. This clearly shows that the current administrators of kabaddi are visionary. To achieve big things, one must first dream big. The officials of the Kabaddi Federation are having that dream. But it must not be limited to just dreaming; the path to its realisation must also be broadened. Otherwise, the desired outcomes will not materialise.

Though kabaddi remained outside the limelight of the country's sports scene after independence, it brought home the most medals from the Asian Games. The red-green team has won three silver and four bronze medals in kabaddi at the Games. Apart from cricket and boxing, kabaddi is the only discipline from which medals have come at the Asian Games. Despite winning medals regularly at one point, the sport’s activities were not expanded accordingly; such expansion could have maintained the momentum of success. Whether the past leaders of kabaddi can avoid responsibility for the lack of expansion remains a question. Because success in any activity can only be achieved when an initiative is taken. There was a lack of effective initiatives to face global challenges. As a result, other countries have shown dominance over Bangladesh in the Asian and South Asian Games.

Kabaddi was included as a regular discipline in the Asian Games in 1990. Until 2002, Bangladesh won medals in the men’s division. After women’s kabaddi was included in 2010, Bangladesh won two medals. Since then, the red-green team has stalled in the Asiad. Due to the lack of effective steps to continue the streak of success, Bangladesh has remained without medals in kabaddi at continental games since 2014. In the 2018 edition, a delegation of 117 athletes in 14 disciplines returned empty-handed. In 2022, despite sending a contingent of 180 athletes in 17 disciplines, only two bronze medals were won—from men’s and women’s cricket. Had kabaddi’s achievements continued, the shame of the last two editions could have been somewhat lessened.

Efforts to keep kabaddi, the national sport, on the right track were noticeable in the last two committees. Although during this time the sport stood on a solid financial footing, there was a shortage of on-field activity. As a result, kabaddi could not reach its expected place. As joint secretary of the previous committee, SM Newaz Sohag, now the general secretary of the current committee, played a role in taking kabaddi to a strong financial position. Because of that strong footing, the current committee has been able to undertake various activities to bring success back to the sport. One such activity is the construction project of a full-fledged kabaddi complex. The first step to implement this project was leasing the Gopalganj Women's Sports Complex from the NSC for 20 years.

The proposed complex will include youth development programs along with advanced training facilities for senior male and female players. According to the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, training programs for coaches, referees, and other technical officials will also be conducted at this complex. The general secretary of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, SM Newaz Sohag, stated that not only will it be a training center, but the proposed complex is also intended to become a significant institution in global kabaddi.

“Bangladesh's international connections in kabaddi are in a better position now than at any time in the past. Kabaddi is Bangladesh’s national sport. For this reason, the World Kabaddi Federation and the Asian Kabaddi Federation evaluate Bangladesh differently. We do not want to remain satisfied with that. We want the national sport to hold its dignity. That is why the initiative to build a full-fledged complex has been taken—so that Bangladesh maintains its place in global kabaddi,” said SM Newaz Sohag.

After the change of leadership on August 5, the current committee was formed almost a year ago. What important initiatives have been taken during this time that could inspire optimism among kabaddi stakeholders? In response, SM Newaz Sohag said, “As part of implementing the youth festival declared by the current government, a national youth kabaddi competition was organized across the country. Around 7,000 budding players participated in this under-18 program in both boys and girls categories. From them, 100 players—50 boys and 50 girls—have been selected. The final teams for the upcoming Youth Asian Games will be formed from these selected players. We see medal prospects from both teams. Moreover, both teams will serve as a pipeline for the senior national teams.”

After taking charge, the current committee has played two test series—men’s and women’s divisions—against Nepal. The men’s team won the home series, while the women’s team lost the away series. Before this defeat in April, Shahnaz Parvin Maleka’s team had achieved a milestone—winning bronze in the Women’s Asian Kabaddi Championship in Iran. That was the first medal won by the red-green team in a Women’s Asian Championship. Aiming to enrich the list of achievements, the women’s team will travel to India next month to participate in the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from August 3 to 10.

From October 22 to 31, the Youth Asian Games will be held in Bahrain. Bangladesh is expected to participate in both the boys’ and girls’ events. Medals are expected from both categories. If expectations and outcomes align, it could send a strong message of Bangladesh’s resurgence in kabaddi on the global stage. Preparations are underway for both divisions. But the question is, will the ongoing integrated activities in kabaddi continue in the future? In response, SM Newaz Sohag said, “The future is always uncertain. Neither you nor I can predict what will happen tomorrow. What I can say is—as long as I am here, I will keep trying.”

The first phase of the youth festival saw the organization of the National Youth Kabaddi Competition. In the second phase, an initiative has been taken to organize the National Kabaddi Championship. After almost 8 years, the current kabaddi administrators want to give a big jolt to the sport through this event. Criticism has also arisen over launching the national championship without activating the domestic leagues. On this issue, the general secretary of the federation said, “It is not possible to organize all tournaments at once. If you observe closely, you will see that all our activities are proceeding step by step. The domestic league will also be organized in the future.”

Various quarters are also accusing the current committee of running operations by spending the funds left by the previous committee. When asked about this, current general secretary SM Newaz Sohag said, “The previous committee left 30 million taka as fixed deposit. It has now been increased to 50 million taka. Money is being spent on one hand and being refilled on the other. I have always said and will say again—money is not a problem in Bangladesh kabaddi. What the fund situation was when I took charge and what it will be when I leave—time will make everything clear. Ask the person making the allegations to make specific accusations.”

Mahbub Sarkar: Writer and journalist