Kabaddi sport used to dominate the screens in the early 90s when PTV channel would broadcast the traditional and rural games being a National TV. But with the advent of the private channels, this game was given less coverage as viewers were more drawn towards more glamorized cricket and soccer tournaments.
Kabaddi sport consisted of two teams of four occupying one half of a pitch and taking turns to send a raider into the other half. The raider would tag a member of the opposing team and race back to the halfway line. The team of four would tackle the opponent to the ground before reaching the halfway line. When tagging the other team the raider has to chant “Kabaddi, Kabaddi, and Kabaddi!” It is a traditional game that is not adored by the younger generation with its practice limited to rural areas.
The more popular sports such as boxing, cricket and football have a much wider viewer ship and hence are more commercially viable which strongly support the objective of commercialism for the private media. These sports promise a high turnover as compared to the forgotten game of Kabaddi. Potential sponsors are also not interested in investing in this game, which also neglects the game in itself as lesser tournaments are held and there are lack of facilities to develop this sport nationwide.