E-Paper
A kabaddi pull for Canada election
He is Canada’s wrestling hero of Nigerian origin, but the ruling Liberal Party of British Columbia hopes Daniel Igali’s kabaddi skills will attract Indo-Canadian votes.
He is Canada’s wrestling hero of Nigerian origin, but the ruling Liberal Party of British Columbia hopes Daniel Igali’s kabaddi skills will attract Indo-Canadian votes.
With India’s rustic sport of kabaddi popular among the Punjabi diaspora, Igali, who gave a new face to the ancient sport with extraordinary speed, has plenty of supporters in the Indo-Canadian community.
Igali’s decision to contest elections slated for May is seen by analysts here as the Liberal party’s ploy to win the Indian diaspora votes.
Although he is known in kabaddi circles, the Nigeria-born Igali became a national hero only after he won the gold in the 69-kg wrestling category at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Igali is a candidate of Surrey-Newton riding, which has an overwhelming presence of Indo-Canadians. Surrey-Newton is at present represented by the Liberal Party’s Tony Bhullar, an Indo-Canadian who has reportedly been asked to run in another riding.
Igali’s challenge will come from the New Democrat Party (NDP), which hopes to retake the riding by fielding Indo-Canadian Harry Bains. However, NDP says the Liberals’ track record is still a force to reckon with.
