Kabaddi Thrives in Punjab as Players Adapt to Modern Trends

• Mar 7, 2025

Every evening, 25 players can be seen training in both circle style kabaddi and its modern national style version at Guru Nanak Stadium.

With the transition from mud to mat, kabaddi has evolved into an indoor sport. While the circle style, still popular in villages, involves a raider being tackled by a single defender, it is gradually fading into the past. In contrast, the national style tests a raider’s physical and mental endurance against seven defenders within a set time frame.

Kabaddi’s Professional Transformation

Inspired by the Indian Premier League (IPL), kabaddi now features player auctions and franchise-based teams, turning the sport into an action-packed spectacle that keeps viewers glued to their screens. Despite its growing global appeal, local players are still in the process of adapting to these changes.

Grassroots Training and Achievements

Coach Ranjit Singh, president of the Amritsar Kabaddi Association, trains players on the mat at Harsha Chinna village in Ajnala, a border sub-division. Under his guidance, Punjab’s kabaddi team secured a bronze medal at the Senior National Meet in Odisha, breaking an 18-year drought.

Embracing the sport’s modernization, his training center has produced several national and international players. Notably, Rajbir Singh, trained at the center, was among the top 20 players selected nationwide for the Junior India Cup last year.

Currently, the center houses 25 national-level players and six sub-junior (U16) camp players. A total of 80 players, including 35 girls aged 14 and above, undergo rigorous training there.

Women’s Kabaddi Making Strides

The permanent kabaddi center in Kale Ghanupur has also delivered remarkable results. It produced international player Kirandeep Kaur, who represented India in the Women’s Kabaddi League in Dubai (2023) before migrating overseas last year.

Established in 2015, the center is now training four national players—Gagandeep Kaur, Harjot Kaur, Lakshpreet Kaur, and Karandeep Kaur—who are being groomed for international competition.

At the Government High School in Kale Ghanupur, Coach Neetu is training 45 girls aged 14 to 19. The government supports the initiative by providing a nutritious daily diet worth ₹125 per player, including eggs, milk, fruits, and dry fruits to enhance their performance.

With increasing support and structured training, Punjab’s young kabaddi players are steadily making their mark on the national and international stage.