Do you know about the national sport of Bangladesh? Yes! Its’ name is Kabaddi. Most of the Bangladeshi people played this game with much pleasure. Basically rural children are fond of this game.

Kabaddi in Bangladesh. Photo Source: Dhaka Tribune

How to Play

In Kabaddi, two teams compete with each other for higher scores, by touching or capturing the players of the opponent team. Each team build of 12 players, of which seven are on court at a time, and five in reserve. The two teams fight for higher scores, alternating defense and offense. The court is as large as that for a dodge ball game. The game consists of two 20 minute halves, with a break of five minutes for change of sides.

Play Ground Known as ‘Court’

The kabaddi playing area is 12.50m x 10m, divided by a line into two halves. The side winning the toss sends a ‘raider’, who enters the opponents’ court chanting, ‘kabaddi-kabaddi’. The raider’s aim is to touch any or all players on the opposing side, and return to his court in one breath. The person, whom the raider touches, will then be out. The aim of the opposing team, will be to hold the raider, and stop him from returning to his own court, until he takes another breath. If the raider cannot return to his court in the same breath while announcing ‘kabaddi’, he will be declared out. Each team deflects in appointing a player into the competitors’ court. If a player flow out of the boundary line during the course of the play, or if any part of his body touches the ground outside the boundary, he will be out, except during a struggle.

Women are also play Kabadi In Bangladesh. Photo: sottokhobor

The team scores a lona ( a bonus of two points), if the total opposition is declared out. The game then continues by fixing all the players on both sides. Matches are staged on the basis of age-groups, and weight. Seven officials supervise a match – one referee, two umpires, two linesmen, a time keeper and a scorer.