Patna scripts a success story in kabaddi

Patna: After the dust had settled at Patliputra Indoor Stadium on a humid Sunday night, the kabaddi fraternity in the state seemed to heave a sigh of relief.
An affair which had been largely confined to the rural areas and periphery of the city finally struck chord with its urban admirers. A relationship had evolved. Kabaddi’s rustic romance and charm had finally managed to cast a successful spell on the Patnaites.
For a state looking to rediscover the glory days in the sport, the Pro-kabaddi league could not have timed its return to the roots any better. Loud discotheque music, glitzy lights, suave and chic anchors coupled with a new points system, the league incorporated all the ingredients to channel the sport into a roaring success among the urban followers. The results left them elated, to say the least.
Kabaddi had indeed walked the tightrope to stardom. Delirious crowds, electrifying atmosphere and stringent security — the entire set-up hardly resembled the traditional kabaddi arena. The league transformed people’s standpoint on the sport. It’s no longer looked like a poor man’s game. With a lucrative career in offing for the players, the Pro-kabaddi league turned into a success story for one and all involved.
The Rakesh Kumars and the Sandeep Narwals soon replaced the Dhonis and the Kohlis with ease. The players were revered and respected. Loved and cared for. But what caught the fancy of the crowd was the sheer brawn and brain required to outmuscle and outmanoeuvre the opposition at every step during the high-voltage encounters.
Kabaddi’s progress within the state can be gauged from Anjani Kumar Singh’s attempt to align various corporate sectors with the sport for the development of young talent and betterment of the game in the state. The BKSA chairman, though, has a man of worth in secretary Kumar Vijay who’s constant support and advice would be crucial for the upliftment of kabaddi in times to come.
Despite tasting success in its very first venture, the handling of the media during the match days left a lot to be desired for. Repeated requests from the organizers were met with stubborn misbehaviour. Even the policemen in charge of the lounge, seemed hardly perturbed by the incidents on consecutive days.
However, there is no doubt that if these minor failures in management can be ironed out, the state can truly concentrate on making a comeback as the national powerhouse in the realm of kabaddi. The affair has taken a new direction and it’s time to mouth those three essential words. Kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi.