JOIN USFootprints in the sands
The game of ‘kabaddi’, with players prancing around rhythmically, is no longer confined to an open ground in rustic Indian villages. It grabbed eyeballs after the first season of the ‘Pro kabaddi League’ in 2014 and now has fans across the world, who are amazed at the players’ short sprints and strength.
As teams across the country are looking forward to the second season, ‘Bengaluru Bulls’ too are ready to charge into the tournament, promising a blazing match. The tall, sturdy and boisterous lot was recently seen at the launch of their franchise, owned by Kosmik Sport League, at BlueFROG, Church Street.
The second season promises to be full of surprises as ‘Bengaluru Bulls’ has an interesting mix of players. This includes seasoned players like the fast-paced Ajay Thakur and mighty Gurupreet Singh and new additions like Ashish Chhokar and Joginder Narwal.
The crafty captain Manjeet Chhilar says that he has carved out a strong defence. “We were short of a raider last year which resulted in a disappointing defeat. We have practised hard, learnt from our mistakes and hope to reach the finals. It’s great to practise in the City because of the pleasant weather and solid grounds. Bengaluru is like home to me now and the fans are very welcoming.”
He is confident that the new players will add value to the team. Aggressive raider Ashish Kumar adds that the players are on a healthy diet which keeps them physically and mentally fit while Rajesh Mondal believes that the confidence of the team will help them steer through the sand. “We will win as long as we play with our heart,” says Joginder.
The team comprises 24 players from India and three international players. Sunil Hanumanthappa, the home-grown raider, has learnt new techniques from the team. “There is a strong brotherly bonding between us. We all bring different influences and skills as we are from different parts of the country.” The team trains rigorously for about three hours, every morning and night.
When they are not training, the players like to hit the malls of the City and enjoy some light-hearted moments with each other. In unison, they all say that the funniest player in the team is Sandeep Malik and call him as a “stress-buster”. “We haven’t planned anything this time. We only follow the orders of our captain and coach. We lost last year because I wasn’t part of the team,” retorts Sandeep!
Though the spirit of the sport has been appreciated by all thanks to the league, there are still many obstacles on the way. Pardeep Narwhal from a village in Haryana, says, “The sport is extremely popular in Haryana and Punjab and I am happy to see similar enthusiasm in Bengaluru. Giving ‘kabaddi’ more prominence at the school level will help make it as popular as football and cricket.” He adds, “Most people think that the game is violent but it is actually a robust sport that fosters team spirit.”
From being a rustic, sand-soaked game to a sport that is internationally recognised, ‘kabaddi’ has undergone a lot of transformation over the years.
According to Manjeet, the sport has received the recognition it deserves after film stars and corporates got involved. Sunil says, “The sport has picked up after the first season of the ‘Pro kabaddi League’ but there is no proper system to channelise further growth. It has to be encouraged more in the City and I believe that ‘kabaddi’ will one day reach the level of Olympics and Asian Games. It’s the game of our soil, after all.”
Perplexing questions of the game’s growth and its economic viability continue to raise eyebrows, but one thing remains for sure — that ‘kabaddi’ will not get buried in the sands of time.
The second season of the ‘Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League’ will begin on July 18.