Kabaddi will overtake cricket, says Rakesh Kumar

Mumbai: One of the ancient contact sports in the country, kabaddi received a major boost since the inception of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) in 2014. Owing to the success of the inaugural seasons, the organisers decided to make the event bi-annual.

With the kabaddi fever all set to grip the country in the third edition starting January 30, India national team captain Rakesh Kumar believes its popularity will soon overtake that of cricket.

UMumba players during a rigorous training session in Kerala. (Photo: DC)

Kumar, who grew up in the kabaddi capital (Nizampur), has been donning the national colours since 2003. He is also one of the players (the other being Anup Kumar) to have been conferred the Arjuna award.

It’s already competing with cricket. In the future, kabaddi will overtake cricket because kabaddi players have this passion when they come to the ground, and so do the spectators. People switch on their television sets and watch the entire game. When the league gets over, they ask, ‘Now how will I pass my time?’” he said.

With the reputation of being the most valuable player in the PKL, fetching a contract worth Rs 12.8 lakh from the Patna Pirates franchise in the inaugural edition, Rakesh will now turn out for the Ronnie Screwvala-owned UMumba — the Mumbai-based franchise. Kumar’s rise to the top has been a long and arduous one. As the son of a farmer, his early years weren’t easy.

“I don’t come from a well-to-do background. I thought kabaddi will be a good enough game and I will get a government job; that was my initial target,” said Rakesh on the sidelines of UMumba’s training session at the University of Mumbai (Kalina campus) on Tuesday.

UMumba players during a rigorous training session in Kerala. (Photo: DC)

“The mud ground where I used to practise had no proper facilities. There were no groundsmen either. We used to carry water in plastic bags from a nearby lake and water it,” he said.

But the sport was no less than a religion in his village. “When I started off, there were four senior players, Ramesh Kumar, Kishan Kumar, Sanjay and Virender, who are now working for Indian Railways. They established the sport in the village and inspired me,” he added.

Though cricket could have fetched Rakesh more lucrative jobs, he stuck to his passion.

I didn’t think so much about any other sport, cricket is obviously a top game. But when I started playing kabaddi, that sport was nothing,” said Rakesh, who participated in village tournaments for prize money worth '2,000-5,000. “At times, the winner would just get a spoon or a bowl,” he recalled.

The villagers became obsessed with the sport once the four founders bagged jobs in the railways. “There was no craze when they started, but as soon as they got a job, things changed,” he asserted.

Now, with PKL proudly responsible for the rise of kabaddi, the scene has thoroughly changed.

“When I started, there was only one ground in my village, now there are six grounds and pipes to water the grounds. Players also have started to increase. Even the younger generation are interested to play,” said Rakesh, adding: “When we won the Asian Games, we were not in the news but today, we have the backing of the media. Players are shooting for channels and interviews are being conducted.”

But kabaddi is a physical sport and children from metropolitan cities often lack the requisite muscle power. How will they match up to the demands of the sport?

“Children from cities don’t have facilities like the villages. (There are) big stadiums, but few coaches are available,” he pointed out.

On days when he takes a break from creating ripples down the feet of the opposition, with his signature ‘Lion Jump’ move, Rakesh wears a ticket collector’s uniform, working for the Indian Railways. Isn’t kabaddi a self-sufficient sport?

“Definitely, it supports me. But the railways also support me. We support other kabaddi players because we do not want anyone to back out due to lack of sustenance. At least 38 kabaddi players are working in the railways.”

“Players from different cities come to my village and we support them, give them food and shelter. If they have money then good, if not, we manage it,” he said.

Rakesh will share space with defending champions UMumba in the upcoming season. “The team is strong with its offence and defence. Anup (Kumar, UMumba skipper) and I share a very strong bond and are old friends. I am happy to be associated with this team as there won’t be any pressure on me,” he said, while closely monitoring his team’s regular warm-up drills.