Kabaddi…Kabaddi…Kabaddi! 2-Day Int’l Bunts Pro-Kabaddi Kicks Off at Nehru Maidan
Mangaluru: It’s all about Kabaddi..Kabaddi..Kabaddi for the next two days at Nehru Maidan-Mangaluru as “International Bunts Pro-Kabaddi Tournament for Men organized by Youth Bunts kicked off on Saturday, 9 December at 4 pm. Hundreds of spectators have already filled around the game venue to watch the teams fight for supremacy. On both the days (9 and 10 December) the matches are played from 3 pm-10 pm-under flood-lights. Eight matches are played each day-totally sixteen matches between 8 teams namely- Goldn Layout Bunts Sigdal; Dubai Bunts; Munnalayi Sizzlers Puttur; Bantwalada Buntaru; Bunts Panthers Muscat; Mangalore Bunts; Youth Bunts Kasaragod; and Action Bunts Puttur.
The tournament was kicked off by former state minister Amarnath Shetty by breaking open a coconut and declaring the tournament open. In his inaugural speech Amarnath Shetty said, ” Kabaddi is indeed a fun game of India-it is a contact sport that originated in ancient India. “Kabbadi” originates from the Tamil language meaning “to hold hands”. It is one of the most popular sports in India, played mainly among people in villages.It is regarded as a team-contact sport as a recreational form of combat training. I am glad that Kabaddi is getting popular in our area, and we have eight Bunts teams who will be competing with each other to win the big prize. But make sure you play the game adhering to the rules, and without any fights. Best of luck”.
The inaugural day match was played between Youth Bunts Kasaragod and Action Bunts Puttur. In the finals, the winning team will take home Rs 1 lakh and a trophy as first prize; second prize-Rs 75,000 and trophy; and third and fourth prizes-Rs 40,000 each with trophy each. A formal function is planned for this evening (Saturday 9 Dec at 6pm) with various dignitaries attending namely- Minister Ramanath Rai, Sadanand shetty- President-International Bunts Welfare Trust; Ajith Kumar Maladi- President- Bunt’s Alias Nadavara Mathr Sangha; Mohan Alva-Chairman-Alva’s Education Trust; and a galaxy of other VIP’s.
Regarding the Kabaddi game- Two teams occupy opposite halves of a small field and take turns sending a raider into the other half, in order to win points by tagging/wrestling members of the opposing team; the raider then tries to return to his own half while holding his breath and chanting “kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi” during the whole raid. India has taken part in four Asian Games in kabaddi, and won gold in all of them.