Punjabi Antenna
Kabaddi World Cup or a gimmick?
Randeep Wadehra

Feudalism is alive and kicking in Punjab. The 60-odd years of Socialistic policies and emphasis on egalitarianism has hardly made a dent on the Punjabi mindset. This thought assailed one’s mind while watching the Kabaddi World Cup on PTC News. Anchors and invitees missed no chance of singing hymns in praise of the government in power.

There were filmstars and dancers performing in the improvised durbar, with minions fawning all over Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal at every available opportunity. Even the modest kabaddi grounds reminded of the Roman Empire amphitheatres wherein gladiators fought for the pleasure of the Potentate. It was not difficult to perceive whether the World Cup was held for the benefit of the aam Punjabi or the state’s ruling elite. Some other stray thoughts, too, nagged one’s mind.

For example, the government had often declared that the intention behind holding the World Cup was to fight drug addiction among Punjabi youth – currently hovering in the region between 65 per cent and 70 per cent as per government as well as private surveys. But, according to media reports, several among the participating players were found by WADA and NADA using banned narcotic substances! Now, what sort of role models would these be for Punjabi youngsters?

Several among the participants were found using banned narcotic substances. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

The government’s focus should be on providing quality education and generating jobs and not indulging in gimmicks. The Deputy CM had entered the portals of power projecting the image of a progressive youth leader with 21^st century mindset. He was expected to lead Punjab’s efforts in reclaiming its former position of flag-bearer of India’s march into the 21^st century. Alas, his kabaddi fixation is not doing that image any good. Kabaddi used to be a popular rural sport in the days of yore because it performed a specific utilitarian
function. Then Punjabi youths actually toiled in the fields and needed robust physiques.

Therefore, rich diet and physical culture involving sports like wrestling and kabaddi kept them in shape. The scenario has changed now. Technology and cheap labour on hire have taken Punjabi youths off the fields. They are more interested in going abroad or doing white-collar jobs or simply ‘enjoying’ a decadent lifestyle. Kabaddi really has no place in their scheme of things. Despite the hype, there were not many young men among athe audiences – the few one espied on the screen were certainly not kabaddi material by any stretch of imagination. This sport is an anachronism, really, and will do nothing to usher a healthy, drug-free sports culture into the state. The Punjab Government will have to come up with schemes that would actually encourage the state’s young population to imbibe healthy habits. How about making a beginning at the school level?

Now, let us have a look at the rather presumptuous World Cup title. The women’s event was more or less a showcase or "demonstration" addition.

The men’s event had more entries; barring the countries from the subcontinent, all others were represented by Punjabi expatriates. So we had Punjabis from Australia, Spain, UK, Canada etc in the so-called international teams. Even the Indian team was not representative; although kabaddi is played in different parts of the country and there are quality players elsewhere, too, only players from Punjab had been chosen to represent the country.

Wouldn’t it have been more accurate to name the event as Punjabi Diaspora Cup or, at best, Punjabi Kabaddi Cup? Nobody knows whether the event had been recognised by the IOC or any other authorised sports body. But then who cares? If the Punjab Government feels that it was the Kabaddi World Cup, well, who are we to even think otherwise?