Kabaddi in the United Kingdom

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

Kabaddi 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

There 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]

References
  1. "Kabaddi gaining popularity in Britain". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  2. Manchester Raiders: team in British Kabaddi League bidding for glory as competition’s second season starts https://www.manchesterworld.uk/ Andrew Nowell
  3. "Birmingham defend kabaddi crown in Glasgow". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  4. "West Midlands region named host of 2025 Kabaddi World Cup". www.insidethegames.biz. 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  5. Traub, Matt (2022-11-16). "2025 Kabaddi World Cup Heading to West Midlands". SportsTravel. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  6. "Man behind British Kabaddi League explains fastest growing sport and impact in Scotland". HeraldScotland. 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  7. Wellings, Lee. "Kabaddi striving for a global audience". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  8. Singh, Hardeep (2023-08-22). "Why did it all kick off at a Kabaddi tournament in Derby?". The Spectator. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  9. Kabaddi becoming popular in Britain https://www.mykhel.com/
  10. "British Kabaddi League kicks off this weekend". The Times of India. 2023-04-08. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  11. "Four arrests as police investigate large-scale violence at Derbyshire kabaddi event". The Times of India. 2023-08-22. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  12. Bullen, Jamie (2023-08-21). "Watch: Mass brawl with 'guns and swords' erupts at Punjabi sport event". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  13. Calcutta, Saptarshi Ray (2023-08-22). "Briton's murder in India exposes gangland ties to kabaddi". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
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