‘Leagues can be a big boost for women kabaddi players’
The kabaddi leagues on the lines of World Kabaddi Leagues and other major tournaments could improve the status of women kabaddi in the country, say experts.
The kabaddi leagues on the lines of World Kabaddi Leagues and other major tournaments could improve the status of women kabaddi in the country, say experts.
HT, on the concluding day of the selection process of the Indian women kabaddi team at the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium on Tuesday, talked to some coaches who opined that more such events are needed to increase confidence of women players.
The panelists from the selection committee evaluated all players and shortlisted 30 best among them for a training camp prior to the main event.
Lauding efforts of the organisers of Pro-Kabaddi League and World Kabaddi League, kabaddi coaches in the region had earlier also demanded that a league on similar lines for girls would certainly improve the stature of girl players.
Budh Singh, head coach, Bhikhi, a Mansa-based kabaddi academy for women, said, “The popularity of kabaddi has seen new heights with the advent of kabaddi leagues in both the national and circle style.”
“These platforms on one hand provide an international exposure to players while on the other hand help them financially, which further boost their confidence,”he added. He went on to add, “There are a few kabaddi academies for girls in the country, which makes it more important to have leagues for girl players too.”
“Organisers in Punjab should also take a cue from neighbouring state Haryana to hold kabaddi competitions rather than just conducting few matches,”added Singh.
On being asked to share information regarding the state of professional kabaddi players in the state, he said, “The use of drugs and other performance enhancers are affecting the game. The problem is more prevalent in rural areas, which in the past had produced many players of international repute.”
Meanwhile, the decision of not introducing dope test during the trials did not go down well among experts.
One of the experts, seeking anonymity, said that though organisers claim to hold the event of the international repute, they did not adhere to proper procedure.
According to them, the whole purpose of a transparent game diminishes if dope tests are not held during trials. “It is only through the dope test that one can establish whether a player has taken part in the trials without using any illegal substance or not,”said Singh.
Sikandar Singh Maluka, chairman of the selection committee, claimed that dope tests would be held prior to the camp that is scheduled to begin on November 15.
