Jaipur: The campaign to give a new identity to kabaddi on the world stage has intensified in the Indian sports world.In the Special General Body Meeting (SGM) of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) held in Delhi recently, a demand was made to officially include kabaddi in the Commonwealth Games likely to be held in India in 2030.This proposal was put forward by Rajasthan Olympic Association president Tejaswi Singh Gehlot, along with whom Indian Kabaddi Association president Vibhor Vineet Jain and vice-president Vijayarani were also present in the meeting.Gehlot said that kabaddi is a game linked to the culture, tradition and soil of India, which should get a place on the prestigious international platform like the Commonwealth.During this, IOA said that before the 2030 Commonwealth Games, kabaddi competitions of Commonwealth countries should be organised in India so that players get better opportunity for preparation and experience and enthusiasm and awareness towards the sport increases among the public.It was also agreed in the meeting that India should make organised and strategic efforts to include kabaddi in the 2036 Olympics.Gehlot said, “This sport has the potential to become not just India’s but the world’s sport now. The national level event will prepare the players to play at international standards and take the popularity of the sport to new heights.”Tejaswi Singh said that if kabaddi gets a place in the Commonwealth Games, it will not only increase the reach of the sport from rural India to urban youth but will also give global recognition to India’s traditional sports culture.
