File photo. PHOTO: SHAHID ALI
PESHAWAR: Kabaddi was once a popular sport in the rural areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. However, the game appears to have lost its charm over the years. It is seldom played at schools and colleges and is mostly seen as a sport played by pehalwans. Young people seem to have forgotten kabaddi was a game their forefathers took much joy in.
The organisers of an inter-provincial kabaddi tournament in Bannu have sought to keep the spirit of the game alive. The Inter-provincial Ziyad Akram Durrani Kabaddi Tournament, which has been organised since 1992 with different names each year, continues to try and raise the stakes of the sport. The event has been organised by JUI-F MPA and Kabbadi Association Bannu President Malik Riaz. Speaking to The Express Tribune over the phone, he said the annual tournament is an attempt to maintain interest in the game. The event is being held at Kabaddi Stadium. It began on November 9 and will conclude on November 15.
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“Kabaddi was once a game played by everyone,” he said. “However, young people nowadays, don’t know the basics of the game. I don’t accept donations from any NGOs or even from the government for the tournament,” he said. “I organise these tournaments through my own pocket.”
Stiff competition
According to Riaz, eight teams – including teams from Bannu, Mardan, Peshawar, Lakki Marwat – are participating in the tournament.
“One match is taking place every day,” he said. “The match starts at 4pm daily. The inaugural match took place between Bannu Red and Bannu White. Bannu Red defeated its opponent after a tough game.” However, in the second competition, Bannu White beat its opponent from Mardan. The third match was played between an IDP team and Malang Kuwan – another team from Bannu.
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Circle kabaddi
Riaz said traditional circle kabaddi is being played at the tournament as opposed to the international format. “The basics of kabaddi are the same under both formats, with some differences.” He added a large number of people have attended the tournament so far. “This goes to show how much the people of Bannu love the game,” he added.
“It is disappointing that there is no kabaddi player from the province on the national team,” he said.
Nonetheless, Riaz is optimistic that the presence of officials from the Pakistan Kabaddi Association at final ceremony of the tournament will help showcase the surfeit of talent in K-P.
K-P Kabaddi Association President Pir Barkatullah said fissures have emerged in the association. However, he added the provincial kabaddi association is trying to settle these disputes.
“There are talented players across the province,” he said. “All they need is a push in the right direction.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2015.
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