Kabaddi in the United Kingdom

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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]

Contents

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]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Kabaddi gaining popularity in Britain". NDTV.com. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  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 22 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "West Midlands region named host of 2025 Kabaddi World Cup". www.insidethegames.biz. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  5. ↑ Traub, Matt (16 November 2022). "2025 Kabaddi World Cup Heading to West Midlands". SportsTravel. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Man behind British Kabaddi League explains fastest growing sport and impact in Scotland". HeraldScotland. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  7. ↑ Wellings, Lee. "Kabaddi striving for a global audience". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  8. ↑ Singh, Hardeep (22 August 2023). "Why did it all kick off at a Kabaddi tournament in Derby?". The Spectator. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. ↑ Kabaddi becoming popular in Britain https://www.mykhel.com/
  10. ↑ "British Kabaddi League kicks off this weekend". The Times of India. 8 April 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ Calcutta, Saptarshi Ray (22 August 2023). "Briton's murder in India exposes gangland ties to kabaddi". ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 22 August 2023.
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