The sport called Kabaddi was in the spotlight last weekend during Punjabi Cultural Days at the Prince George Secondary School athletic fields.
Along with volleyball, tug-of-war and other cultural activities, the event showcased Kabaddi competitions involving teams from BC and Alberta.
Played between two teams of seven, kabaddi centres on a “raider” crossing into the opponent’s half to tag defenders and return within 30 seconds without being tackled.
Points are awarded for successful tags and tackles, with players cycling in and out as the match progresses. The sport alternates between offence and defence in rapid succession.
In the game, players must complete each move on a single breath. During each raid, players chant “kabaddi” without taking a breath to prove they are not inhaling.
Kabaddi’s origins trace back centuries in the Indian subcontinent, but it emerged as a competitive sport during the 20th century and is the state sport in Punjab.
The Prince George games were played in the traditional “circle style,” known as Punjabi kabaddi, which is played on an outdoor circular field
There's another version that is played on an indoor rectangular court.
