Native game, global appeal?

Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India, on why the game needs to be seen to become popular

July 25, 2014 07:23 pm | Updated November 17, 2021 12:06 pm IST - New Delhi

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There are many reasons for promoting kabaddi. Essentially, it is an Indian sport, truly indigenous, with roots across the country. We realised cricket was very big, football and hockey had support, but kabaddi was one sport craving for attention. We were clear. We had to give a gift to the country and what better gift than bring this exciting sport to the drawing rooms.

Unless people watch, no sport would make an impact. If kabaddi is to become popular, it has to be watched and that is precisely what we have aimed for. It may not have appealed to the urban middle class, but I promise the coverage of the sport will appeal to the masses. We have scouted for the best technical back-up from all over the world and have set up a world class production team that has enough experience of capturing indoor sport. We have brought the best of technology, taken kabaddi indoors and invested in some of the best graphic designers in the business from Los Angeles.

The matches would be shot with 20 to 24 cameras and we have worked on the commentators too, have worked on how the players turn out — they should look smart. We have worked to make the players very professional, have invested by paying them attractively; the prize money is substantial. We are starting with eight teams but would like to see a 30-team league.

We would have served our purpose if youngsters are convinced and make kabaddi a career. We want to make a social statement by backing kabaddi to become a hugely popular sport. It is a sport with genuine power, brawn and dynamism and genuine roots in India. It has a strong presence in Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu. Even Mumbai has some 700 kabaddi clubs. It has a dedicated following. It is a native game which can command a global appeal. If America and Australia can have their own baseball and football as a mass sport, I am sure kabaddi can become one. It is sad that it has not got its due. We need support for this very intense sport from all quarters because it can transform the life of a youngster.

(As told to VIJAY LOKAPALLY)

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