Kabaddi is a contact team sport played mainly by the South Asian community in the United Kingdom.[1] The British Kabaddi League is the main kabaddi competition in the UK, and is played annually.[2][3] The 2025 Kabaddi World Cup will be hosted in the West Midlands region of England.[4][5]
History
editKabaddi was first promoted to a significant extent in the UK when it was shown on Channel 4 in the 1990s.[6][7] The growth of the South Asian community in the UK has also grown the sport.[8][9][1] The cost-of-living crisis is also a factor in kabaddi's growth, as it is an inexpensive sport to play.[10]
Controversy
editThere have been several incidents of violence at kabaddi tournaments in the UK, as well as alleged ties between kabaddi and gang activities.[11][12][13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Kabaddi gaining popularity in Britain". NDTV.com. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Manchester Raiders: team in British Kabaddi League bidding for glory as competition’s second season starts https://www.manchesterworld.uk/ Andrew Nowell
- ^ "Birmingham defend kabaddi crown in Glasgow". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ "West Midlands region named host of 2025 Kabaddi World Cup". www.insidethegames.biz. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Traub, Matt (16 November 2022). "2025 Kabaddi World Cup Heading to West Midlands". SportsTravel. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ "Man behind British Kabaddi League explains fastest growing sport and impact in Scotland". HeraldScotland. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Wellings, Lee. "Kabaddi striving for a global audience". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Singh, Hardeep (22 August 2023). "Why did it all kick off at a Kabaddi tournament in Derby?". The Spectator. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Kabaddi becoming popular in Britain https://www.mykhel.com/
- ^ "British Kabaddi League kicks off this weekend". The Times of India. 8 April 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ "Four arrests as police investigate large-scale violence at Derbyshire kabaddi event". The Times of India. 22 August 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Bullen, Jamie (21 August 2023). "Watch: Mass brawl with 'guns and swords' erupts at Punjabi sport event". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Calcutta, Saptarshi Ray (22 August 2023). "Briton's murder in India exposes gangland ties to kabaddi". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 22 August 2023.