Kabaddi World Cup 2016: Important landmarks in the evolution of Kabaddi as a global sport

The sport of Kabaddi has been creating waves in the Indian subcontinent as the 8th edition of the IKF Kabbadi World Cup is all set to commence in Ahmedabad from October 7. India and eleven other major teams would be vying for the world title by putting their best put forward in the premier tournament. 

Kabbadi is a home grown sport which can trace its roots and history way back to ancient times in Indian history. The sport which was popular in the rural pockets of the country has slowly but surely created a frenzy among the ardent lovers of the game across India courtesy the Indian Kabaddi league.

India has been powerhouse in the sport, winning almost everything there is to offer in the sport. Indians have been the undisputed world champion by lifting the coveted world title on seven ocassions.  

So let us look back into time and see the defining moments that helped in shaping up the history of the sport -  

1. The first known framework of the rules of Kabaddi as an indigenous sport of India was formulated in Maharashtra in the year 1921 for Kabaddi competitions on the pattern of Sanjeevani and Gemini in a combined form.

2. 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.

3. The All India Kabaddi Federation was formed in the year 1950 to govern and promote the game at the national level.

4. The Senior National championship commenced from 1952.

5. The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) affiliated to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) came into existence from the year 1972 with a view to popularize the game in India & neighboring countries of Asia.

6. Kabbadi made an impact at the Asian level with the Ist Asian Kabaddi Championship in 1980.

7. Kabaddi was included as demonstration game in the 9th Asian Games, New Delhi in the year 1982. 

8. Kabbadi always a popular sport in the Subcontinent made its debut at the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games from the year 1984 at Dacca, Bangladesh.

9. Kabaddi made its maiden apperance at the 11th Asian Games at Beijing in 1990 where India won the Gold Medal.

10. India extended its hegemony in the sport by winning gold medals in every edition of the Asian Games ever since its inception.

11. The sport which was mainly confined and competed among Asian countries took a giant leap in the global sporting arena when the 1st World Cup of Kabaddi was organised in 2004 at Mumbai, India.

12. India won the Ist Kabbadi World Cup by beating West Asian giants Iran in the finals. The second World Cup was held in Panvel, India in 2007 and India once again were crowned champions.